Discussion of the Day
Do you agree with voluntary assisted dying?
Kaz25-Jun-21
When the person isn't terminally ill, but push the button to end their life. The person is just sick of life. At the moment, they have to go overseas to do it. For some reason I don't, but agree with euthanasia by intentionally ending life to relieve pain and suffering.
Comments
  • APB
    Scott Morrison could end a lot of pain and suffering just by losing Government...
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    • Edward S 497347
      JESUS suffered and died on the cross for us so why should WE not suffer. Christians believe that suicide is a sin in the eyes of God, leading to eternal life in hell. Therefore, this is a question that should NOT be answered lightly. We all suffer throughout our lives in one way or another, but do 99% of us give in? NO, we continue through life, and eventually that suffering ends and we discover that suffering had actually made us stronger in one way or another and we proceed through life. IF there is a person who is seriously ill or disabled, but NOT dying and wants to end their life; then that is out of boredom and fed up with being limited in regards to what they can and cannot do......These people need more excitement in their lives and need to be taught new skills which would interest them and must be things which they are capable of doing. Then we have the seriously ill or disabled who are pressured into ending their lives because their carer is fed up looking after them, wants to inherit from them, or their carer themselves are dying and worried about what would happen to that person after they themselves die. But then; we have the terminally ill who are dying and are rapidly deteriorating, in a lot of pain and their prescribed pain killers are no longer providing relief from their pain and suffering.......... Do they press that button to end their life, to end that suffering; thus risking an eternal life in hell; suffering for all eternity OR With days or weeks to go before they naturally die; do they put up with that constant pain and suffering for a few more days/weeks and be rewarded with eternal life in Heaven with NO pain and NO suffering?
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      • Priscilla R 316016
        Still wish there was a way that those suffering from dementia/Alzheimer's etc. could have their final wishes adhered to - it doesn't matter that you are sane of mind when you say you want your life ended at A, B or C, this won't be upheld if you are in a dementia home and they will keep you alive with no quality of life no matter how many Advance Care Plans you have put in place.
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        • Ek M
          It's interesting that it's against the law to allow our pets to suffer, but lawful to allow humans to suffer. I hate to see the suffering after years of palliative nursing, but never wanted to be the one to end the life.
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          • suzi v
            no I don't a person should die there time is up
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            • Bung,
              I certainly do in circumstances where the person has requested this to be undertaken when they no longer can have any further quality of life.
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              • adrienne H 312549
                in certain circumstances, and its not an easy process.
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                • lulu
                  if there is no posssible chance of a cure and has real pain for sure.
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                  • Tupulua S
                    if someone is sick of his/her life, they can go ahead and end their lives by themselves and i support euthanasia only to those who are terminally ill,and suffering. I am speaking from personal experience. I can not stand watching love ones slowly dying with pain
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                    • Sabine V
                      Absolutely, we put our pets out of their misery when they can't deal any more but we have to savior in pain with no dignity until we die. We should be able to die with dignity.
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                      • Catalina
                        Yes to euthanasia.
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                        • Edith v
                          I only agree if a person is terminally ill or severely handicapped in pain & THEY want to end their life
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                          • Dimitri T 100433
                            Do not agree since there can be pressure put on the person to do this. We only have one life & should enjoy it to the full with all the good /bad that comes our way.
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                            • Mooi
                              Yes I do under certain circumstances. I do not want to be a burden on my family and if terminally ill and in pain I think it should be an option. Very difficult discussion this one.
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                              • Helena P 470894
                                Yes.
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                                • Paul B 522937
                                  Yes I agree if you are depressed and see no future in life and then next week you are left a lot of money in a will then depression could be over
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                                  • Heather N 69229
                                    I believe that people should have choices…
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                                    • Claude H
                                      Yes
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                                      • James R 393760
                                        to any reasonable thinking person, there can be but one answer - yes
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                                        • Nikki W 168121
                                          yes
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                                          • Cam J
                                            yes
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                                            • Sonya F 68771
                                              Yes yes
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                                              • Joy, NZ
                                                I 100% support assisted dying when the person is terminally ill or has a very poor standard of living. I also support the right of the elderly to decide when they no longer wish to struggle with the challenges of old age. I am only 68, but I know that I should have the right to choose when enough is enough. I do not support it if a person is not terminally ill if the conditon has effective treatments which make life worth living. I also think that the shock of having a serious accident leaving one wheelchair bound can lead to impulsive choices to want to die but I once the initial shock is over, many go on to have a satisfying life. If after 6 -- 12 months, they still wish to end their life, I would respect and support their choice.
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                                                • Vicki M 118804
                                                  Every individual's choice as to when and where they go. I 100% support individual choice.
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                                                  • roger l 315504
                                                    In the past I've made decisions to minimise the severe distress terminal illness of animal companions that I have held dear, and been at the bedside of close family members who in significant distress and discomfort admonished me with 'you wouldn't tolerate a dog going through this'. I just hope I've got the courage to do for myself in the same situation
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                                                    • Rose S 88496
                                                      Yes
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                                                      • Ruth v
                                                        I agree with Paul J. A very tough subject. Also agree with Margaret B. God is the giver of life and he should be the one to take it away.
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                                                        • Paul J 94868
                                                          A very tough subject...
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                                                          • Margaret B 429563
                                                            No - I understand the sentiment behind a person's opinion and decision to do so but God gives life and it is He only who has the right to take it away. I've seen & nursed people who have been extremely ill and in pain but the majority of them still want to live, they just want the pain to be gone.
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                                                            • LEANNE B 221779
                                                              Yes absolutely it’s a pity you can’t decide to be born you should be allowed to choose when and if you die
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                                                              • Barbara T
                                                                If that person is terminal, why prolong their suffering? It is cruel and inhuman. It is there choice after all and that decision should be respected. An animal is treated better under those circumstances.
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                                                                • Barbara T
                                                                  Yes, to a certain extent agree with you but when that life is taken away violently, very much doubt whether God had a hand in it.
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                                                              • Margaret C 77490
                                                                Yes I do
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                                                                • Katzeye
                                                                  I agree if a person is suffering in physical pain and is terminally ill but I don't agree if it is just because they are depressed and sick of life!
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                                                                  • John B 89024
                                                                    Yes 100 %
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                                                                    • KARL-HANS B
                                                                      for people that are terminal ill it should be right to do it, if there is no quality of life and you a more or less a vegetable 100 % Shure it should be
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                                                                      • Gaza
                                                                        Judging by the majority of comments, it's apparent they haven't suffered with the prospect of no reprieve.
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                                                                        • Leanne B 76015
                                                                          Yes
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                                                                          • Roslyn A
                                                                            I think the doctors already do it sometimes - just up the dose on the drip and let them go peacefully. Nothing wrong with that.
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                                                                            • Dada WA
                                                                              That's suicide. Terminally ill in pain is a different situation. Drafting legislation to differentiate will be a nightmare. I'm glad its not my job. I do agree with assisted death in certain circumstances.
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                                                                              • Sandra C 12043
                                                                                Agree for those that are terminally ill and in pain.
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                                                                                • Therese M 73305
                                                                                  For sure 100% for those who are terminally ill I've watched family members die and friends it is a cruel suffering way to go ..do we really know if the morphine is making them pain free I don't think so they still cry in pain .south Australia has just been added to the list of having assisted dying brought in if I am terminally ill my name will be on it I would never want my kids or grandkids see me in that state as it is heart wrenching if it ceases then a couple of bottles of pills should do .. there is no difference to suicide but at least family have the answers unlike people who have to live through why when suicide occurs because that is torture. I have read comments on here saying god has the only right to end a life if that's the case he is very cruel taking innocent lives and making people suffer .assisted dying should be available for who ever wants it in every country and state .people all have different views and maybe they have not seen people suffer .a family can ask for a respirator to be turned off isn't that assisted dying too ..people die gasping for air a nice shot of the drug which is administered into you and knowing their dying is peaceful bring it on that would be my way to go ...my question is them that is against it how many would change their mind if their time was up and are suffering..
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                                                                                  • Joy L 68767
                                                                                    I do believe in euthanasia, BUT I wouldn't force someone else to do it. I watch my father die in lots of pain.
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                                                                                    • Larry S 382961
                                                                                      against it 100%. 4 things we cannot control. the day born, day die ,time and weather only God decides all of those
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                                                                                      • Bugalugs
                                                                                        I have had 3 family members in the space of 6 months who all died from Cancer, the Palliative Care given at that time was Magnificent they left us peacefully anf totally free of pain. Don't you just love the weasel words they are now using? "Voluntary Assisted Dying" instead of what it is: (Legally sanctioned), Assisted Suicide. As has been revealed in other countries which have this system in place and espite all the so-called, alleged, "Safeguards" it has been abused. No matter what the politicians and those in favour of Assisted Suicide say, it will be abused, just as Palliative Care has been in recent times - this my family know about because we saw two elderly friends, one had a minor Stroke from which she could have recovered, the other fell and cracked her wrist. The one who had had a Stroke was in a Public Hospital, she had, at her family's instructions, a "Do Not Resuscitate" and a "Nil by Mouth" above her bed. She was also put on to a some sort of pimp arrangement which sedated her to death. The other was in an Aged Care Residential and she was put on the same sort of pump and was dead within 7days. That is NOT what Palliative Care is about, That was two people being disposed of because they were both old - late 80s and 90s. They also happened to be very wealthy! This system will be abused, people will find a way around all the so-called checks and balances. Coercion? That is a very subtle process and very hard, if not impossible, to prove. As we have seen with non-life-threatening scams people can be coerced into giving away money and they are not aware that they are being hoodwinked at least until it is all too late. The same will happen to vulnerable older people who may be a bit confused but on the surface are fully aware of what is going on. Yes, if someone is Proven to be Terminally ill and there is absolutely no hope of recovery they should be allowed to end their lives in a dignified and painless way. We have all heard the expression "Make him/her Comfortable". My three family members were, at their own request when their illness became terminal, "Made Comfortable" the aim of the medication was to stop all pain - which it did magnificently - the side-effect was that they died - as they were going to do in the same time-frame. That people are sick or tired of life should not be considered a reason for Assisted Suicide, or to be strictly PC- VAD! This has happened.
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                                                                                        • Colin L 88398
                                                                                          Personally I believe we need these LAWS in all Australian States/Territories and mandated under Federal Legislation. We could then go and Euthanize all Politicians to save us all from their beliefs that are contrary to the views held by most Australians. Judging by the Foreign Correspondent Show Last Night we could then program up an AI to run the country and save the General Public a Bulk load of money as AI's do not need payment just electricity to run the computer that they are on and we would stop all Past Pollies from making claims for money.
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                                                                                          • CHERRY BLOSSOM
                                                                                            When i was a Personal Carer, it was so sad to see the aged ,suffering with pain and just hanging on with their Life,until they pass away then. MY ANSWER IS A BIG YESSSSSSSSSS.
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                                                                                            • Beverley S 383001
                                                                                              I agree with it if the person has signed legal documents before they were so ill. I saw the suffering of a relative with lung cancer and it was horrific. A medical directive signed by everyone should be as common as making a will.
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                                                                                              • Joe B 288252
                                                                                                Yes, for terminally ill people but I don’t agree with forcing doctors to do it.
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                                                                                                • Pat B 169666
                                                                                                  Yes definitely
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                                                                                                  • GRAEME W 313058
                                                                                                    Doctors do it reguarly
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                                                                                                    • Maria B 89860
                                                                                                      Hasn't this been happening for years out of compassion for people who are beyond any kind of help and are in agonising pain all the time?
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                                                                                                      • Stephen F 84899
                                                                                                        Only in exceptional circumstances
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                                                                                                        • Christina D
                                                                                                          I agree with voluntary euthanasia to end life when the person is terminally ill, no one should die in pain, confused or scared but I don't agree with it when someone has just had enough of life.
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                                                                                                          • Damaris H
                                                                                                            As a last effort, if the patient is terminally ill, I’d personally rather end the pain and confusion sooner rather than later.
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                                                                                                            • marilyn r 276770
                                                                                                              yes been through this twice and leaves a terrible terrible mark on your soul when you are unable to help and just watch but must be strongly regulated by the right systems
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                                                                                                          • Carol C 465698
                                                                                                            Only in exceptional circumstances should end of life procedures be initiated. Once the lines become blurred, ie "fed up with life", there will be other reasons, in the future, to end life. Dare I say, there will be a fine line between genuine "end of life" and murder.
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                                                                                                            • Sandra B 546769
                                                                                                              I advise anybody to commit suicidal attempt. It is not a good thing to commit suicidal attempt. If you really believe in the Lord you will do great by liking yourself. If you like yourself do not ever try to kill yourself
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                                                                                                              • John b 479999
                                                                                                                No!!- not unless terminally ill.
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                                                                                                                • Robin L 79437
                                                                                                                  In my country we treat animals with more compassion than humans, we allow people to suffer until they die from their ailment, rather than let them go with dignity
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                                                                                                                  • Lachelle B
                                                                                                                    Cancer is rife in our family and I have seen too many wither away in hospices. I am all for euthanasia for the terminally ill. Our dad died within six months of being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. A healthy man looked like a shadow of his former self within months. We took our son (he was six at the time) to see him. Dad was extremely jaundice and Liam said "Granddad you look like Spongebob!". From the mouth of babes!
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                                                                                                                    • JANN R
                                                                                                                      I agree with euthanasia if somebody is in a lot of pain and there is no way they will live much longer its much better for them, I watched my father suffer and die from cancer if it had been possible for him then it would have eased his suffering
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                                                                                                                      • Naf
                                                                                                                        I agree with euthanasia. Most of our pain and burdens come from our loved ones. Strangers can't hurt us as deeply as our loved ones do.
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                                                                                                                        • Evie S 79418
                                                                                                                          Yes I do agree Not all lives are wonderful, sometimes, it's just too much of a struggle. No one should be compelled to live an unbearable life
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                                                                                                                          • JANN R
                                                                                                                            I agree with you Evie
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                                                                                                                        • Chosen
                                                                                                                          Cannot wait.
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                                                                                                                          • Bex
                                                                                                                            Absolutely!!! Having worked in a Nursing Home, the things I have seen would horrify you. I always said that before I ever got to the stage that I needed to go into a place like that, I would opt out with a strong bottle of booze, and a handful of pills. Euthanasia absolutely has its place, provided it is the decision of the person wishing to end their life, and that person only. If not, lines become blurred and it turns into homicide.
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                                                                                                                            • Paul
                                                                                                                              Simply Agree....
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                                                                                                                              • Frank N
                                                                                                                                The biggest issue I have with allowing assisted dying is to ensure that is is truly voluntary, and not someone finally giving way under heavy family pressure, for example. How do we protect people from that?
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                                                                                                                                • Carolyn H 146141
                                                                                                                                  YES
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                                                                                                                                  • Biscuit
                                                                                                                                    You don’t have to go overseas. It can be done in some parts of Australia.
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                                                                                                                                    • Beverly I
                                                                                                                                      When there is nothing medically that can relieve the pain and suffering yes then euthanas the person .It is very gentle they just go off to sleep.
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                                                                                                                                      • Kathi G
                                                                                                                                        I DO agree with euthanasia by intentionally ending life to relieve pain and suffering. This is a horrible thing to think about, but please allow me a way out, (not now) but when and if a time comes that my quality of life is over, and i have nothing to look forward to but pain, suffering, and the humiliation of being bathed, changing diapers ...
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                                                                                                                                        • kristian s 513441
                                                                                                                                          I don't know if I would voluntary assisted a dying person.
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                                                                                                                                          • SueM2
                                                                                                                                            We can relieve pain and suffering for animals, but won't offer the same consideration to our fellow human beings for one overriding reason - religion!
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                                                                                                                                            • Grommie
                                                                                                                                              it's not the years in your life, but the life in your years that's important.
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                                                                                                                                              • Sue2
                                                                                                                                                Yes, I agree with it. I believe its, quality of life not quantity of life,
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                                                                                                                                                • Kim N 285099
                                                                                                                                                  euthanasia is ok if they are suffering And the doctor can’t get medical treatment.
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                                                                                                                                                  • BLACK LIVES MATTER
                                                                                                                                                    Do I believe in voluntary assisted dying (euthanasia) - NO (unless the individual has a legally binding medical directive in place)! I do belleve in individuals (having the right to committing unassisted dying (suicide)) - under any circumstances - YES!
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                                                                                                                                                    • Sandra A 131302
                                                                                                                                                      I’m not really sure. I think 50 50 .
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                                                                                                                                                      • doug m 408074
                                                                                                                                                        euthanasia yes, just sick of life - I'll have to wait untiI get there!
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                                                                                                                                                        • Peter T 100083
                                                                                                                                                          Yes i would!
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                                                                                                                                                          • Aisha A 379399
                                                                                                                                                            It is a difficult decision especially when you face the objections of family members.
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                                                                                                                                                            • Phyrephly
                                                                                                                                                              This bill just got passed (past?) in South Australia (today/yesterday I think), So its in the news here. Nobody would want others especially loved ones, suffering if they did not have to suffer. And yes, we do put animals, that we can no longer help medically, down (euthanize). But aside from the Christian perception against assisted suicide, (which I happen to subscribe to), Who decides for someone in this unfortunate position, who can not articulate their wants re: to live on or be "helped" into death, if they are suffering terribly? say end-stage Huntington's chorea or some such. Just because the person may be in a vegetative state, do we say they are not suffering as much? Who does "the saying" here, in these cases? Doctors? family? health care providers? carers? The potential for this law to be horribly abused and people basically murdered, essentially, for their place/bed in a nursing home say, or their money/property in family fortune situations, or to "get out" of a bad marriage, is stupendous. This is at the end of the slippery slope of moral decline. It's now several steps closer to being a place where the sick, injured and dying, are legally able to be treated as annoyances to be overcome; With a little more morphine than usual - hey presto! problem solved. How a society treats its sick, defenseless and dying is the moral "canary in the coalmine" for society - it always have been - for as long as they last, but apparently now, in Sth Australia, as with many other places, they don't have to last much longer. Imagine if the money spent on trying, (SA tried many, many times to get this passed before now. All that legal eagling would not have been cheap), was spent on looking for cures for the diseases which put some people in this horrible position, Or even for bettering care facilities, for sufferers. Where would we be if this had happened with that money? My heart goes out to anyone who has to contemplate such things for themselves, or a loved one, even if it is a pet dog, cat or budgie, But truly, Pandora's box has just been opened here, and we should be very careful what we wish for, because not everyone can handle what they want well, once they get it.
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                                                                                                                                                              • Grommie
                                                                                                                                                                passed.... I congratulate you on your summation
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                                                                                                                                                              • mary c
                                                                                                                                                                My husband was in a "Locked in " state after stroke- all he could do was blink. The hosp had never had someone young like that. They asked him if he wanted to be fed (via peg tube) and he blinked yes even though they told him he was paralysed. Its been ten years of suffering though (and full nursing cares) and i do believe people like him have the right to choose.
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                                                                                                                                                            • Shirley H 391879
                                                                                                                                                              VAD is a choice that each person makes. Nobody has the right to deny someone who is terminally ill, their right to decide. I may/may not agree with it? But it is not my choice. It is a very personal decision. My role is to support the decision.
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                                                                                                                                                              • Jacqueline R 353303
                                                                                                                                                                If one is of sound mind, sick & in pain & there is no cure I feel you have the right to end your life. Why go on if there is no light at the ene of the tunnel.
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                                                                                                                                                                • Linda C
                                                                                                                                                                  Having watched many of my immediate family die from cancer including both parents, 2 sisters, 3 Aunts and 6 uncles plus cousins I think if they want to end their suffering and just waiting in a bed in pain for the end then I am for it. We put animals to sleep that are in pain and think nothing of it. I did see a show years ago where this woman was 100% well but wanted to die on her own terms and this made me angry as my family were fighting to live. She did go through with it and yet she was a vibrant well off woman but just thought she had done everything she wanted. I do not agree with this reasoning. In Australia most states now allow assisted dying.
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                                                                                                                                                                  • Maria B 89860
                                                                                                                                                                    I saw bits of the same show, was just flicking channels etv, and if I remember correctly they all had a final family celebratory "farewell party" then she took her pills. Why would anyone want to film and broadcast something so private and personal?
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                                                                                                                                                                • Disie
                                                                                                                                                                  With Andrew 1 Are you OK Kaz?
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                                                                                                                                                                  • Priscilla R 316016
                                                                                                                                                                    Agree with you on all of your points.
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                                                                                                                                                                • APB
                                                                                                                                                                  Kaz...I have been through your thoughts above...are you experiencing this stuff?...are you OK?...we have just exchanged so much stuff and laughed together ...you are OK ?right
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                                                                                                                                                                  • APB
                                                                                                                                                                    When I was younger...this was something you discussed...You were smart and you knew everything..right?...as you get older you really acquire a new frame of reference...and your new frame of reference (at least in my case) is radically different..I intend to THRIVE and get stronger...but if I ever get told that I've failed and have something terrible...I would need the basic human right to be put to rest...
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                                                                                                                                                                    • Luke W 72035
                                                                                                                                                                      Laws and cultural attitudes towards suicide and the act itself are absolutely strange in general. I certainly wouldn't recommend anyone do it but it's not for me to say what anyone else should do. If someone is withering away in pain and request a less painful slow death, by all means get it over with and accept their wishes though.
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                                                                                                                                                                      • Rhonda D 522615
                                                                                                                                                                        You should have the right to do this. It's their life.
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