The " Right to Die " !

" Euthanasia " is an emotive word which stirs strong feelings " for " and " against " in most people. In most of the first half of the last century it was actually a criminal offence to try and end your own life.  The law regarded a suicide attempt as a case of " Murder by self " and those that botched it and survived were often put before a magistrate - and punished !

Quite a few countries now have relaxed laws that allow the terminally ill to get medical assistance to end their own lives.  That is not even being considered here as a national Australian policy, but the citizens of New South Wales will see their state parliament debate the matter with the view of having a law change to make that possible.

So the decision will come down to getting a bunch of politicians to have the right to impose a painful death on those suffering a terminal disease - or allow that persons plea for mercy to be granted !   You can be assured that each individual politician will make that decision with one eye on the view of his or her political party and the other on the likely reaction of the voting public.  The pressure to swing the vote either way will be vociferous.

Leading the charge against will be the mighty Roman Catholic Church.  They will try and impose their " Make them suffer until their last breath " outlook with the manta that " Hospices deliver a painless death ".   They certainly " ease " pain, but so many diseases are so configured that they always deliver a diabolical death.

Already the proposed legislation is gaining so many likely provisos that applicants will be required to jump through hoops.  The under twenty-five age group will be excluded - because some health authorities have decided that the human brain does not reach maturity until that age.  No doubt wise consent will be required from not only the patients general practitioner, but also from doctors who specialise in the that particular illness, probably aided by either a psychologist or a psychiatrist.  The approval process will be mind numbing.

And so will the people with the right to halt a merciful death.  Naturally, the applicant will have the right to withdraw at any time, and a mandatory cooling off period is reasonable, but it seems that relatives may step in appeal to the Supreme Court.

Haven't we learned anything from the donated organs fiasco ?   People who have willingly signed all the necessary consents for the donation of their body organs die - and then just when the surgeons are ready to commence remote, religious old Aunt Aggie comes forward and objects to the removal of organs.  That stops it in its tracks - and perfectly good, life saving body parts go into the ground or up the chimney !

This proposed legislation is restricted to those terminally ill and expected to be within twelve months of death.   It will not be available to those with the ravages of age who suffer the discomforts that brings - and simply wish to terminate of their own free will.

It is likely that this debate will be open ended and will fail to come to a decisive vote because many politicians will avoid declaring their position.  Unfortunately, many people heading towards an excruciating death will have their last moments exposed to the public gaze as this subject gains media attention.

There is not an expectation that this will come to a speedy conclusion !