Once again the cry for euthanasia cries out to be heard, to be accepted into society. This time it's from a doctor dying of cancer. Not a case of 'doctor heal thine self” here, but, doctor kill thyself so that others may not have to suffer along with you.
I am very, very afraid of this, the right to be able to kill oneself or to be assisted in suicide.
The most common cry is that we don't let animals suffer, we put them down, but we are far great beings and not animals. We think, love, create, laugh and cry. We are NOT mere animals to be put down when those close to us cannot stand to see us die in pain.
My greatest fear, which is proven right time after time, is that when a law is put in place for emotive reasons, it never remains the same. It is changed, broadened. it loses its original purpose and becomes, quite often something that the creator of that law never desired it to be. The perfect example is of course, the abortion laws. It started with quite definite boundaries as to whom could have an abortion, but know it is used by many women as a form of contraception.
My fear is that like in some Scandinavian countries where euthanasia is legal, the law has been stretched to where it involuntary euthanasia. Old (?) is getting a handful. His dementia is getting worse and is hard to handle. Well, he had had a good life, it would be better for him to 'pass on” now, allow him the dignity of dying before he gets worse. So the relations can make that decision. Life or death is in their hands. Now THAT is cruel and inhuman.
As for me, research continues into cancer treatment, new drugs are being discovered all the time.
Instead of euthanasia, I would much prefer a more powerful pain killing drug be created and administered.
Yes, we are definitely NOT animals to be put down when there is suffering. My old school motto.. Dum spiro spero.. while there's life there's hope... says it best.
Wayne C Jessop, Mt Maunganui.