Dr. John Pollock, dying of metastatic melanoma, is right to say the law against voluntary euthanasia should be changed. He should have the right to choose. Those against argue that pain relief is given to ease the suffering. However, the side effects of these drugs can be almost as unpleasant as the disease itself.
The right to die should also be given to those elderly people who have lived independent lives and have become so disabled that their quality of life is diminished. They have no desire to be put in a rest home and cared for by untrained, overworked poorly paid carers. They should be allowed to end their lives with dignity before they become incontinent, helpless and hopeless creatures. This is a great fear for many elderly these days especially with MPs continually stating how much of the GDP is spent on the aged.
By allowing people in their right mind to make such a decision to an independent authority there would be no chance of wrong doing by grasping relatives or others with ill intent.
Anne McComish, Tauranga.