• Question: Hello, ;) Personally, without the influences of religion and scientific facts, what is YOUR take on Euthinasia? Are you for or against it... and Why? Thanks Alot and I hope to hear from you soon.

    Asked by abster to Laura, Lily, Mark, Paul, Sarah on 21 Jun 2010 in Categories: . This question was also asked by nepalese.
    • Photo: Sarah Bardsley

      Sarah Bardsley answered on 19 Jun 2010:

      I think people should be given the right to end their pain and suffering if thats what they want to do. We live a free society which recognises human rights and I think voluntary euthanasia should be part of this. I do think laws should be put in place though to ensure euthanasia is not abused and that vulnerable people are protected. Fundamentally I believe your body is your own and you should be able to control what happens to it.

    • Photo: Laura Maliszewski

      Laura Maliszewski answered on 20 Jun 2010:

      In what context? Are you referring to capitol punishment, or in relation to people with terminal illness?

    • Photo: Mark Roberts

      Mark Roberts answered on 21 Jun 2010:

      Wow that’s a tough ethical rather than scientific question.

      I’m not really sure how I feel about it. I’m certainly against compulsory euthanasia as for voluntary I think that’s a hard qu – as I can see why some people with debilitating illnesses might have a poor quality of life, but my worry with that is how do you control it to make sure people aren’t forced into doing it or are not considering all the options – especially as those people are often the most vulnerable. So if we were to allow it we’d need to make sure we can control for that

      Like I say it’s a tough one that will probably be discussed in society for a long while

    • Photo: Paul Roche

      Paul Roche answered on 21 Jun 2010:

      This is always a really tricky question, but my personal view (ignoring religious stuff or science) is that, if people are able to make a decision and they have had enough of the pain and suffering etc. that they are going through as a result of illness, then they should be allowed to end their lives.

      It’s a very controversial area though, as many factors could influence someones decision (e.g. they might feel they are a burden on their family), but I think there are always going to be cases where people who are terminally ill, or who are suffering extreme pain as a result of an incurable condition, decide that they have had enough. As long as they are rational and capable of making the decision themselves, I think they should be allowed to choose how and when they will die.

      But I know that there are many moral and ethical concerns about this, although euthanasia is legal in several other countries and they don’t seem to have descended into chaos or experienced masses of people wanting to die as a result of that. It will always be a very difficult decision, but as long as it is carefully monitored and people are well advised, I think it can be a solution in some extreme cases.

    • Photo: Lily Asquith

      Lily Asquith answered on 21 Jun 2010:

      I am strongly for it.

      I believe that if a person is suffering terribly and there is no hope of the suffering ending then they should certainly be able to ask for assistance in ending their life if that is their wish.

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