Assisted dying bill: why should people suffer? | Guardian Debates

Assisted suicide is currently illegal in the UK. Giles Fraser debates Lord Falconer on his bill to change that law.
Lord Falconer, who wrote the bill, argues that it would relieve enormous suffering, while Giles Fraser says it would encourage people who think they are a burden to their family to kill themselves.

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[dancebackthesea]

Why do we give animals the grace of death in the face of unbearable suffering, yet refuse such mercy when it comes to us?

Why must we force millions to have no other option but to die by often horrific, and horribly painful methods, when doctors could provide a painless and dignified end to us instead?

[pouncingmonkey]

As a person who prides myself on compassion, I believe there is nothing more morally vacuous than telling other people they must suffer. The most important part of life is death, telling someone how to die is telling them how to live

[holteenderrob]

Everyone should have sovereignty over their own body and mind.

[Mrlust]

The Choice to end ones like is ultimately up to the individual not others around them The choice to be born and given life was not an option given to the individual but the option to end that life should be chosen by that individual not by laws created by churches religions or governments

[finite_ore]

Dying the natural way is very much like being electrocuted in water
Every sodium ion channel in your body fires at the same time causing huge spasms. If there is a way to eliminate this extremely distressing and painful process then it is irresponsible and absurd not to.

[lucieclayton]

Why is it that assisted dying can only apply to people that are terminally ill.   This does not cover  people with chronic depression.  Just because a person suffers from depression doesn't mean to say they don't know what they want.  Sometimes a person has had enough of feeling hopeless.  Therapy and medication doesn't work for everyone so why does a person have to suffer this torment day after day, year after year

[pouncingmonkey]

Also there are ways to bump people off, painful ways that are legal and used routinely in hospices because there's no legal way, like the Liverpool care pathway

[trauma]

There are more people wanting to die in a temporary full of bull shit life then there are people want to live and keep the repetitive efforts and struggles and suffering and responsibilities of the life that was given you without knowing to grow up and survive for a temporary full of bull shit life humanity!

[lesleyallinson]

If a person has a terminal illness if that were me I would have the chance to dry on my terms

[sc-ekqz]

What's the name of the drugs they use?

[Infernal]

The person on the right did not come across as an interviewer.