...loses right-to-die appeal

[DrLeftover]

Marie Fleming, who has multiple sclerosis, is unable to end her own life and wants her partner to help her die without risk of prosecution.

The 59-year-old lost her case at the High Court in Dublin in January, but then launched an appeal.

On Monday, the Irish Supreme Court rejected her appeal.

It ruled that while the Irish constitution guarantees a right to life there is no corresponding right to die with the help of others.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22338524

should there be?

 

[Jazzy]

I don't believe anyone has a right to take another persons life for ANY reason. Since she lives in a country where suicide is legal, then perhaps she should have planned this better. She knew the MS was going to progress to the point where her quality of life would be nil. If she really wanted to die, then she could have taken her own life. Now, she wants her partner to take her life. Sounds like the cowards way out to me. Her partner would be charged with murder, spend up to 14 years in jail and have to live with this for the rest of his life. Sorry, she missed her chance.

 

[DrLeftover]

Would you make the same argument for "doctor assisted" even when they just write the prescription for a known lethal drug combination?

 

[Jazzy]

Would you make the same argument for "doctor assisted" even when they just write the prescription for a known lethal drug combination?

It's a stronger argument for "doctor assisted" as, like myself, we have taken The Hippocratic Oath. Part of the oath, I will quote for you:

I WILL FOLLOW that method of treatment which according to my ability and judgment, I consider for the benefit of my patient and abstain from whatever is harmful or mischievous. I will neither prescribe nor administer a lethal dose of medicine to any patient even if asked nor counsel any such thing nor perform the utmost respect for every human life from fertilization to natural death and reject abortion that deliberately takes a unique human life.

If interested, the full Hippocratic Oath can be read here.

 

[DrLeftover]

I used this version in the Glossary

"I swear this oath by Apollo physician, and by all the gods and goddesses: In whatsoever place that I enter I will enter to help the sick and heal the injured, and I will do no harm."
- The Doctor, Star Trek- Voyager, episode "Tuvix", written by Kenneth Biller, Paramount/Viacom Television, 1996

But then explain physicians that perform abortions.

 

[Jazzy]

In every profession, as you well know, there are the ones that don't abide by the rules or oaths. Doctors who perform abortions are murders. Same goes for the ones who write those lethal prescriptions.

 

[DrLeftover]

I agree. To a point.

 

[Jazzy]

How would you answer the question that you asked?

 

[seasidemike]

It is a tough one, what do we do as a society when medical science is able to extend the length of our lives but not the quality of our lives??

In many ways I agree with the court ruling here, but that does not take away the sympathy that I have for her situation. If I was her I would not want to continue either. Quality of life is important.

the risk is however, once you open that door where does it stop?

 

[DrLeftover]

OK, I'll weigh in.

To me, there is some natural human desire to depart this existence with dignity. Perhaps as much of that as there is to continue to live as long as life is worth living. When continuing becomes an unbearable burden, then there should be a viable exit strategy.

And to be denied that opportunity for whatever reason is indeed, sad.

But the fact remains that the patient has some responsibility to see the inevitability of their condition, whatever it is. and to make the arrangements for said end if that is their desire.

In this case, they failed that, and are now seeking a remedy from the State for it.

I'm sorry, but I do agree with the court in that case.

Until the Parliament or the Voters of their Country say otherwise, such is the law of the land, and they have lived under it for some time and should be aware of it.

And, like it or not, most of us will face similar situations in due time.

I wish us all a better time of it.