Assisted dying

We (England and Wales) today voted for assisted dying.It's a big deal here, how are you chaps getting on with it?

Thread moved here from the Proposed New Topics forum.

It appears that Dr. assisted death is allowed in 11 states, they being California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, and Vermont. The cult of Christ has not allowed similar rights in others states. This is why I abhor the whole “states rights” arguement. Why should I have to travel or move to a different state to have certain human rights?!

I was listening to the BBC (via NPR) last night. This was prior to the vote for assisted dying. There was an interview with a man having terminal bowel cancer, and also (IIRC) a doctor. Again IIRC the doctor said something along the lines of "We could do something for you if you had two more legs and a tail".Moose

The UK population has a very large majority in favour of it but we thought it would be a close vote because the parliament was new and our MPs were frightened, plus of course the religious element.Long way to go yet, but it’s a step along the way to growing up.We had to go to Switzerland.

Actually, I'm fairly impressed by how religious believers in the House voted. Although the majority voted against the Bill as you'd expect, a significant number voted for it - particularly Protestants. Catholics and Muslims very against it, Jews equally split.Given that 74% of the country want it, I reckon those with strong religious views should have abstained.How did your MP vote on the assisted dying bill? | UK News | Sky News

I think it is perfectly fair for people to vote based on their religious beliefs. If there are protections for a secular government then courts can step in if religious rights have been violated, but there shouldn't be a religious based criteria for taking away votes.What I do celebrate is the ability of a society to guide itself through democratic means. The difficulty we all have in western style democracies is determining which rights are foundational and not up for a vote. An independent judicial branch is one of the greatest inventions in democracy for protecting those rights, but there still needs to be respect for the legislative as well.Personally, I do think people should be able to seek out medical help for a terminal illness. In my state in the US, there are no protections for assisted dying. However, we do have hospice care which functions in the same way. You are essentially fed opiates and voluntarily starved of food and water until you meet your end. I don't see why this couldn't be shortened.