Nobody lives forever—that's a given. But how do you want to spend your final days?
Yesterday, France passed legislation which granted doctors new powers to place terminally-ill patients in a deep sleep until they pass away.
Polls show eight out of 10 French people are in favor of allowing euthanasia and 96 per cent back the deep sleep law. Patients who are conscious but in unbearable pain will be targeted, as well as whose treatment is not working or who decide to stop taking medication.
The new law will also compel doctors to follow end-of-life instructions written in advance, if patients are no longer able to express their will or decide if they want to be kept alive.
I watched a repeat of Judge John Deed last night, which brought up the painful question of whether to allow a teenage boy his own preference of non-intervention. The subject caused pain to all those concerned in the trial, judge, prosecutor, and defense as well as the parents. However, we should be allowed to make our own decisions and take full responsibility.
Anti-euthanasia groups criticized the French legislation as masked euthanasia, but pro-euthanasia campaigners argue that it does not go far enough and would lead to terminally ill patients expiring because of hunger or thirst.
Polls show eight out of 10 French people are in favor of allowing euthanasia and 96 per cent back the deep sleep law. Patients who are conscious but in unbearable pain will be targeted, as well as whose treatment is not working or who decide to stop taking medication.
The new law will also compel doctors to follow end-of-life instructions written in advance, if patients are no longer able to express their will or decide if they want to be kept alive.
I watched a repeat of Judge John Deed last night, which brought up the painful question of whether to allow a teenage boy his own preference of non-intervention. The subject caused pain to all those concerned in the trial, judge, prosecutor, and defense as well as the parents. However, we should be allowed to make our own decisions and take full responsibility.
Anti-euthanasia groups criticized the French legislation as masked euthanasia, but pro-euthanasia campaigners argue that it does not go far enough and would lead to terminally ill patients expiring because of hunger or thirst.
The Voyage of Life - Thomas Cole 1842 Five months before, the poignant suicides of two couples in their 80s rekindled the French national debate about euthanasia. One couple chose the romantic setting of a luxury hotel, Le Lutetia, to carry out their pact to end their days together. They first ordered room service. Later, staff found them lying hand-in-hand, with a typewritten note claiming the right to pass on with dignity. Source: The Telegraph.
We need to release our desire to control the river journey from birth to passing over the waterfall. One follows another without fail. However, nobody wants to foresee future pain.
I remember reading a futuristic novel about old people going to their last holiday together. The accepted practice gave them a wonderful experience before they closed their eyes. Later, a factory churned out nutritious tablets which fed the population. But that's taking the concept a bit too far.
What are your views on this sensitive topic?
We need to release our desire to control the river journey from birth to passing over the waterfall. One follows another without fail. However, nobody wants to foresee future pain.
I remember reading a futuristic novel about old people going to their last holiday together. The accepted practice gave them a wonderful experience before they closed their eyes. Later, a factory churned out nutritious tablets which fed the population. But that's taking the concept a bit too far.
What are your views on this sensitive topic?
RSS Feed
