I know there have been very similar threads in the past on this forum. But events are getting towards legislation in England and (today) in Scotland. So this is very much in the news.
Coincidentally I was speaking to my Dutch neighbour last week. On Thursday he told me that his older brother would die the next day. That is conversation stopping. His brother lives in Canada where planned euthanasia is well established, within strict rules. He is Dutch, where planned euthanasia is well established. His brother is over 80. Was over 80. He had been diagnosed with early signs of dementia. He had also been diagnosed as needing major heart surgery with no promise of a successful outcome.
I very much hope that Holyrood and Westminster put into the law the right to determine one’s own demise, in dignity, with minimum suffering.
https://www.itv.com/news/border/2026-03-17/scottish-parliament-to-vote-on-assisted-dying-legislation
I saw this on the news and couldn’t bear to watch. I find it very upsetting because I feel many sick or old people will be encouraged to go for assisted dying because they feel a burden or because their loved ones want them to go sooner rather than later.
I know two people who have recently taken advantage (not sure if that is the right word) of this legislation in NSW
Both had a terminal illness with less than six months to live, both were in pain. One had a wake immediately before the doctors arrived to administer the drugs.
I think it would be very hard to force someone to do this apart from anything else you need two doctors to certify the plan
It gets very complicated when the person in question is depressed, feels they are a financial burden etc. Will be a tick box exercise for professionals ref two needed for sign off. You need two professionals for all sorts of life changing decisions but the implementation of such rules becomes trivial over the long term. I think this is a case of be careful what you wish for
A one-way ticket to hell for all participants. It’s hot there, very warm.