Euthanasia now legal in UK!!!
By BubblyIan
@BubblyIan (750)
December 14, 2008 5:11pm CST
The new Director of Public Prosecution has effectively changed the law by the back door just two weeks after taking the position. Kier Starmer has decided that in a recent case where a UK ciitzen travelled to Switzerland for euthanasia, his family who knew about what was happening and helped organise the trip should not be prosecuted for aiding and abetting the suicide even though he considered that there was sufficient evidence for a reasonable prospect of conviction.
Do you agree that this is a bad thing?
What is your view on euthansais and will there now be a flood of people leaving the UK for this purpose?
2 people like this
2 responses
@Little_Stormy (6883)
• United States
15 Dec 08
I think there are two sides to everything.. I think a person knows when they have had enough, and I believe that they have the right to decide when to call it quits (for themselves).. if it's a terminal illness and the prognosis is they are only going to get worse.
On the flip side, this might also give the right conditions for someone to choose FOR THEM (even doctors who see you as being less that useful to society) and, yes, there are doctors who express this. They want to choose for you!
I know this first hand... when a doctor refused to fix the hole in my niece's heart, because she had other disabilities.. his words were "She isn't WORTH fixing".
He went on to say that most doctors would like to have the control to terminate life of those who are not useful to society.
2 people like this
@wheel416 (1019)
• Canada
15 Dec 08
First off, let me start by saying, the word disability is not synonymous with useless! Many of us with significant disabilities do make an active contribution to our society.
Now, with that being said. I actually agree with you that sometimes medical science can take things too an extreme. Just because we CAN save a very very small baby does not mean we ALWAYS should. Typically, the smaller the baby we can save, the greater chance of severe illness and disability.
That's just my opinion.
@rick_d (213)
• United States
14 Dec 08
I really think it depends on circumstances.I think we have a couple of states here in the U.S. that it is legal.I really don't believe I have the right to condemn,judge or tell someone they can or can't do, when it has no bearing on my life especially when the decision depends on circumstances.
2 people like this
@BubblyIan (750)
•
15 Dec 08
Yes it should not be up to decide of course, but if it is illegal then it may come in front of a jury and you could be sitting in judgment - which way would you go?If it is an issue in an election or a referrendum then you would have to decide - which way would you vote?
