10 replies to this topic

[Wino]

Mercy killing is a touchy subject to some. Here is an article about a British reporter admitting killing his young lover.

(Feb. 16) -- A well-known British television reporter admitted on camera that he smothered an ailing lover. Police are investigating the extraordinary statement, which is expected to reinvigorate debate over the national policy on assisted suicide.

''I killed someone once. ... He was a young chap. He'd been my lover and he got AIDS,'' Ray Gosling, 70, said in a BBC documentary on death and dying. ''Maybe this is the time to share a secret that I have kept for quite a long time.''

British law on so-called "mercy killings" hasn't changed much since 1961. Those convicted face up to 14 years in prison. But the government is considering loosening its policies. In September, it announced plans to decriminalize assisted suicide in the case of severely disabled or terminally ill patients.

British TV Reporter Ray Gosling Admits Mercy Killing - AOL News

[lvdkeyes]

Unfortunately, laws of most countries don't allow for euthanasia. If I were to give my vote I would be in favor in cases where there is extreme suffering and no cure for the condition.

[Wino]

Some say we treat our pets better than the terminally ill.

[rucus7]

Whoa, I saw this topic and hoped it was an option considered for Sarah Palin. I guess I am a heartless jerk.

[graymo]

Yes, a touchy subject indeed and one unlikely to be easily resolved. So many of the cases that come to our notice through the media would appear
to have merit due to their compassionate nature. However, once a person is unable to make informed choices for themselves and it becomes the
responsibility of next of kin then it becomes an ethical minefield.

[lvdkeyes]

Many people are still able to make those decisions for themselves or made the decision previously.

[Beer Chang]

People should have the right to die.

Laws should make it easier for the next of kin to pull the plug IMO.

[lvdkeyes]

I think giving that right to anyone other than the person himself/herself would be a wrong thing to do. There are many greedy unscrupulous people around who might "pull the plug" in order to get the inheritance.

[lvdkeyes]

Double post.

[graymo]

Beer Chang, on 17 February 2010 - 05:59 PM, said:

People should have the right to die.

Laws should make it easier for the next of kin to pull the plug IMO.

Got some rich relatives Changy?!?!?!

[Beer Chang]

I had to make some decisions regarding my Dad when he passed away. He was in a coma for 5 weeks before he died. It wasn't all that difficult to decide as I knew how he thought in those matters.

I think there is too much emphasis on keeping Schiavo's alive and not enough emphasis on clean water and mosquito netting for African kids.