When it comes to suicide, the UK contradict themselves on this subject. It's not alright for people to consider euthanasia when they are suffering in pain from being physically immobile. However, it's fine for a Jehovah's Witness to be refused blood treatment while he/she's in hospital out of respect for their religious beliefs.
It seems that we're pussyfooting around those to suit the religious cults with their delusions and ignorance of medical science instead of giving everyone an equal opportunity to take their life if they so wish.
What say you, people?
The Euthanasia one is for peoples protection, there is a good possibility that vulnerable people can be persuaded into signing the forms to off themselves. Anyone has the right to refuse medical treatment (a right which I think should be at a doctors discretion, so they can overrule it in cases of rank stupidity). I do hate the way religion is allowed a say in anything at all though...
I have to agree with this, AS LONG as it is a voluntary and iinformed choice BY the individual who chooses to refuse medical treatment or chooses to commit suicide. Where I draw the line is from my standpoint as a nurse/medical professional. Allow me to split hairs here. As a nurse and geriatric/hospice specialist, I am committed to ensuring that my patients enjoy the highest, most dignified quality of life that can be done at the end of that individuals life. Ex. If by giving that shot of morphine that a HOSPICE patient needs to control their pain........I am hastening the end of their life.......so be it...........it's their choice and I am honoring their choice. BUT, in the case of euthanasia, I'm worried that I am not responding to the patients desires, but to a Doctor's or families "convenience", especially since a lot of the case that I have read about and studied have been of patients UNABLE to make their own decisions.
I also do not like religion to intrude into medical decisions. Rather I support the individuals right to choose according to THEIR beliefs, not ANYBODY else's. In the long run, I have my own personal beliefs about such things, but, overall is my belief in the freedom of individual choice, AS LONG as that individual has the clarity of mind or previously written/documented choice to make that known. If things are done by hearsay or second guessing, than I as a medical professional can't follow those and have to go by my own personal ethics.
And if that sounds confusing, believe me, this is one grey, murky area that scares the bloody fucking shit outta me.