Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill

by liberal japonicus

This is another quick post about something that I've been following. My family has not had to deal with these sorts of issues, so it is not because I have some personal experience or a personal stake in this, but because I have an interest in the UK, watching how this has gone down is pretty fascinating. The entire debate in Parliament is here. I don't want to beat up on Brits, but a lot of the British coverage has a 5-10 minute paean to how this was such a respectful debate, because it did not feature the braying of PMQs, but, while I thought it a huge improvement, I didn't get the sense of awe at how the debate went, it just didn't seem as awful in relation to other debates.

Still, everyone knew this was a different kind of debate because at the vote, the chamber was silent.

Anyway, another quick post as a placeholder for discussion.

Comments

[wj]

It seems to be something that people prefer to ignore, at least until they have an immediate family member involved.

I had the personal experience (decades ago) with my father. Decades of smoking (even when he was an athlete in his teens and 20s) had trash his lungs. To the point that he spent years hauling around an oxygen tank full time. But eventually the pain reached the point where he told my mother goodbye, said "I know what I'm doing," took a big dose of something, went to bed and never woke up.

I understood his reasons. But the lack of assisted suicide legislation back then meant a rough time for the family while he did it. Because the approach he used took a day or more to work. I'm really glad that my state is one of the few which has finally gotten it done.

[Tony P.]

I have repeatedly pointed out in these pages that death affects even more people than abortion does. As we boomers amble closer to the grave, we have to worry that the Christo-Fascists on the SCOTUS will decree we have no right to die until their Jesus (or his dad) has had His fill of our suffering. You watch.

--TP

[wj]

we have to worry that the Christo-Fascists on the SCOTUS will decree we have no right to die until their Jesus (or his dad) has had His fill of our suffering. You watch.

I'd bet not. Cheeper to have people die as soon as they stop working. And that matters to the prosperity gospel heresy.

[Pro Bono]

What this Bill would do is make it legal for a doctor to assist in the suicide of a terminally ill person, with six months or less to live, so long as they and another doctor agree that the person is terminally ill but mentally competent, and a High Court judge signs off on the procedure.

Opponents have stressed the possibility that the old and sick may feel under pressure from relatives to get things over with.

I listened to two opponents make their case on the radio, and hated what they had to say - they felt the need praise palliative care as if it were a happy experience. My wife died of cancer: I know something about it (this bill would not have helped her).

However, this Bill would not help that many people - its sponsor says "hundreds" - because of the six months provision. If you have a degenerative condition, Parkinson's say, you might want out long before the natural end.

Regarding the law in the USA: you should legalise the use of diamorphine in palliative care.