[News] B.C. Strikes Down Law Banning Doctor Assisted Suicide

[Bonded]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...rticle4267631/

Can't say I disagree.

British Columbia’s Supreme Court has declared a section of the Criminal Code that prohibits physician-assisted death invalid.

[Bonded]

Interesting. I didn't think that this would be pressed in Canada for a while. All I know is if I was terminally ill and confined to a bed, I would want the choice

[Senator Clay Davis]

I've never understoof how anyone can be against people that are suffering beyond comprehension choosing to die with dignity. Obviously this will ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court of Canada, but this is a good start.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

I've never understoof how anyone can be against people that are suffering beyond comprehension choosing to die with dignity. Obviously this will ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court of Canada, but this is a good start.

It really should be decided by Parliament.

Justice Smith has given Parliament one year “to take whatever steps it sees fit to draft and consider legislation.” During that time the ruling is suspended. However, the judge has also granted Ms. Taylor a constitutional exemption during that period that permits her to proceed with physician-assisted death under specified conditions.

[MarchHare]

How is it that society considers putting down old and sick pets to be "humane", but we don't treat our fellow humans the same way?

Aside from criticisms that this could be potentially be abused (e.g. granny is gonna leave us a ton of money when she dies, let's convince a doctor to put her down!), I can't see why any rational person could be against this. In jurisdictions that allow doctor assisted suicide for terminally-ill patients (the Netherlands, Oregon, etc.), there are many strict checks and balances in place to assure that it isn't applied improperly or unethically.

[NuclearPizzaMan]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

How is it that society considers putting down old and sick pets to be "humane", but we don't treat our fellow humans the same way?

Aside from criticisms that this could be potentially be abused (e.g. granny is gonna leave us a ton of money when she dies, let's convince a doctor to put her down!), I can't see why any rational person could be against this. In jurisdictions that allow doctor assisted suicide for terminally-ill patients (the Netherlands, Oregon, etc.), there are many strict checks and balances in place to assure that it isn't applied improperly or unethically.

Because God enjoys suffering. Suicide is a sin.

[OilKiller]

Originally Posted by NuclearPizzaMan

Because God enjoys suffering. Suicide is a sin.

And for those who don't believe in God?

[Nyah]

I think if someone is terminally ill, dying from a degenerative disease, they should absolutely have the choice when to end their lives. Let them choose when to say goodbye to their families, and allow them to die with their faculties & dignity intact. I'll never understand why some would want terminally ill people kept alive, suffering mentally and physically to the very end. We treat our animals more humanely..that's just my opinion.

[meanmachine13]

Doesnt make sense to me that people are allowed to refuse medial treatment...which could cause them to suffer from intense pain and eventually lead to their death, yet the same individual cant ask to end their life and skip the suffering/pain/etc.

[Thor]

I find it cowardly of people to strike down such laws.

Ask doctors and end of life care nurses what they think, those who see death day in and day out, ask hospice care workers...

We should let our loved ones go in peace, not in unbearable agony, this is the least we can do and the most HUMANe thing we can do.

[photon]

Originally Posted by OilKiller

And for those who don't believe in God?

That's also a sin.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by OilKiller

And for those who don't believe in God?

Those who do impose their beliefs through legislation?

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Thor

I find it cowardly of people to strike down such laws.

Ask doctors and end of life care nurses what they think, those who see death day in and day out, ask hospice care workers...

We should let our loved ones go in peace, not in unbearable agony, this is the least we can do and the most HUMANe thing we can do.

My good friends wife is a nurse at the Tom Baker Cancer centre. She see's alot of death but at the same time doesn't believe in Euthanasia and wouldn't help someone kill themselves. There's alot in the medical field that feel the same as she does. It's not a cut and dry issue.

I don't see a problem with this as long as GP's and nurses aren't forced to perform this procedure.

[Thor]

Its not cut and dry, and her objections likely come from a religious stance. Of course there are those in the medical field who object, but they would be a minority.

In a secular ideology why should people suffer at the end of life, if certain criteria are met and safeguards are put in place to avoid any abuse of such a system?

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Thor

Its not cut and dry, and her objections likely come from a religious stance. Of course there are those in the medical field who object, but they would be a minority.

In a secular ideology why should people suffer at the end of life, if certain criteria are met and safeguards are put in place to avoid any abuse of such a system?

It's not a religious stance. She doesn't believe in suicide.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Dion

It's not a religious stance. She doesn't believe in suicide.

I guess the next question then is why not?

[Dion]

Originally Posted by SebC

I guess the next question then is why not?

I lost a lady friend to Breast Cancer a few years ago. By the time they caught it it had metastised to her spine. It was very painful but at the same time she was given medication to deal with it. They made her as comfortable as possible till the day she died. People die with dignity in many ways. Suicide doesn't own the term dignity when it comes to dying.

Had she chosen suicide she would have missed out on the chance to say goodbye to friends and loved ones, getting her affairs in order and talking wth a pastor about what she wanted for a funeral.

[MarchHare]

Had she chosen suicide she would have missed out on the chance to say goodbye to friends and loved ones, getting her affairs in order and talking wth a pastor about what she wanted for a funeral.

What?

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally Posted by Dion

I lost a lady friend to Breast Cancer a few years ago. By the time they caught it it had metastised to her spine. It was very painful but at the same time she was given medication to deal with it. They made her as comfortable as possible till the day she died. People die with dignity in many ways. Suicide doesn't own the term dignity when it comes to dying.

Had she chosen suicide she would have missed out on the chance to say goodbye to friends and loved ones, getting her affairs in order and talking wth a pastor about what she wanted for a funeral.

People do die with dignity in a number of ways though - however doing so without choice in how they want to die is not dignified in my view and that is the central tenant.

People should have the option to end their lives as they so desire. Also people who have chosen the suicide route can still get to say goodbye to friends and loved ones, get their affairs in order and talk to a pastor about their funeral. I don't understand that comment at all.

It is a personal issue and one that I can completely empathize with on every level, combine that with the fact that I view it as a medical procedure and I don't think this is a question at all.

[SebC]

A very good, related article:

How Doctors Die