Fair Enough

Posted on September 20, 2009 by Andrew Stuttaford

Via the London Times:

HELPING terminally ill and incurably disabled patients to commit suicide is set to be decriminalised in Britain under guidance to be issued this week.

Those who assist a friend or relative to end their lives on compassionate grounds will not be prosecuted, under guidelines to be announced by Keir Starmer QC, the director of public prosecutions.

However, it will still be a crime to act as “ringleader” or “organiser” of the death of a person who has been “vulnerable to manipulation”.

The guidelines are expected to make clear the difference between someone “assisting” and someone “encouraging” a suicide.

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6 Responses to Fair Enough

  1. kurt9 says:
    September 20, 2009 at 9:53 am

    This does make it easier to get a better cryo-suspension if you have a terminal condition. I have a friend who was diagnosed with a terminal brain cancer who sued for the right to enter cryonic suspension while still legally alive (as to avoid the destruction of neuro-structure due to the brain tumor, which was inoperable) in the late 80’s. Needless to say, he lost the case. However, his case was made into an episode of “LA Law” in the early 90’s. His cancer went into remission for about 15 years, then returned about 5 years ago. He is in cryo-preservation today.

    The problem is that “deanimation” under controlled circumstances is necessary in order to get a decent cryo-preservation, because you have to be legally dead in order to enter cryo-preservation.

  2. John says:
    September 20, 2009 at 12:30 pm

    Well, Britain–I’m impressed. It would be interesting to know the politics behind the change. Who pushed for it? Was there a strong opposition?

  3. Mark in Spokane says:
    September 20, 2009 at 3:52 pm

    I won’t hold my breath waiting to see if anyone is ever prosecuted for being a “ringleader.” Like Holland’s so-called “protections” on abuse, the British attempts to prevent a spiril into euthanasia will be unsuccessful.

  4. Donna B. says:
    September 20, 2009 at 9:01 pm

    If one of the purposes of life is to enrich the lives of others (and this is debatable) then I cannot see any benefit in ending life because it is “useless” or “painful” to the person living that life… unless he/she specifically requests it… and I don’t think a plea in the depths of pain is a mindful one.

    I have had the misfortune to watch three people I love, die. None of them “let go” without a tremendous fight. Of course, my experiences are mere anecdotes. Perhaps the greater experience is that some people would rather die. And, who am I to judge?

    But, who is anyone else to judge?

  5. Art says:
    September 21, 2009 at 6:52 am

    According to this story assisted suicide is already a staple of British health care. Of course, the new “guidelines” may help clear up whether the system is assisting, encouraging, or both. Either way, the “change” in policy will dovetail nicely with their socialized health care system. Coming to a hospital near you.

  6. Caledonian says:
    September 22, 2009 at 6:12 am

    I have no problems with either assisting or encouraging.

    It’s mandating and enforcing that I’m worried about.

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