Created Sat 13th Dec 2008 3:19pm PST by 
hseal43
hseal43 Will the UK allow a 'right to die' charter?
Background: It is traditional, when mounting a coup, to seize control of the airwaves. Last week the supporters of euthanasia did their best. Monday’s Panorama was entirely given over to a “report” on this topic by the Lothians MSP, Margo MacDonald; but since Ms MacDonald has already launched a campaign to legalise “assisted suicide” north of the border, the BBC’s attempt to promote her as an impartial reporter was disingenuous, at best.
Two days later, Sky broadcast Right to Die?, a 90-minute documentary that told the story of Craig Ewert, a 59-year-old Yorkshire-based American, who had travelled to the Dignitas clinic in Zurich to be humanely put down. As advertised, we were not spared the moment of Mr Ewert’s death.
The very phrase “right to die” is a fashionable piece of nonsense. How can we be said to require a “right” to something that is absolutely unavoidable, whether we want it or not? It is not the “right to die” that campaigners such as Margo MacDonald want, but the right to be killed - at a time of their own choosing. This is why some doctors, less sensitive to public queasiness, refer to the practice of “assisted dying” as “therapeutic killing”.
Lord Joffe, who has unsuccessfully launched two bills to introduce a form of euthanasia, indicated last week that he would try for a third time. When the High Court recently refused to give any encouragement to Debbie Purdy, who wanted preemptive legal approval for a one-way trip to Dignitas (although none of the 100 or so British families to use Dignitas has been prosecuted), Joffe claimed that there was hypocrisy in the fact that “mercy killings” are already commonplace in the UK. This is essentially the same argument as was used by proponents of the Abortion Act 1967: it frequently happens anyway by stealth, and it would be better if it were done legally without fear of prosecution.
Two days later, Sky broadcast Right to Die?, a 90-minute documentary that told the story of Craig Ewert, a 59-year-old Yorkshire-based American, who had travelled to the Dignitas clinic in Zurich to be humanely put down. As advertised, we were not spared the moment of Mr Ewert’s death.
The very phrase “right to die” is a fashionable piece of nonsense. How can we be said to require a “right” to something that is absolutely unavoidable, whether we want it or not? It is not the “right to die” that campaigners such as Margo MacDonald want, but the right to be killed - at a time of their own choosing. This is why some doctors, less sensitive to public queasiness, refer to the practice of “assisted dying” as “therapeutic killing”.
Lord Joffe, who has unsuccessfully launched two bills to introduce a form of euthanasia, indicated last week that he would try for a third time. When the High Court recently refused to give any encouragement to Debbie Purdy, who wanted preemptive legal approval for a one-way trip to Dignitas (although none of the 100 or so British families to use Dignitas has been prosecuted), Joffe claimed that there was hypocrisy in the fact that “mercy killings” are already commonplace in the UK. This is essentially the same argument as was used by proponents of the Abortion Act 1967: it frequently happens anyway by stealth, and it would be better if it were done legally without fear of prosecution.
Settlement details:As reported by a major mainstream news source. Any assisted suicide legislation in any part of the UK (not necessarily covering the entire UK) will be sufficient to settle this question. If there is no news by the suspend date, question will settle as 'no'.
Forecast history %
| Yes |
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| No |
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Question suspends in 1 week
- Activity: H$40,239 |
- Predictions: 44 |
Comments: 2
Suspend date: Sat 28th Nov 11:59pm PST (1 week to go)
Initial likelihoods: Yes: 45%
Action history:
Created Sat 13th Dec 2008 3:19pm PST by hseal43
hseal43
Changed Question text Thu 18th Dec 2008 2:06am PST by 
tisha![[Admin]](http://www.hubdub.com/images/icon_admin.gif "This user is an admin")
: ... Will Englandthe UK allow a 'right to die
tisha: ... Will
Changed Settlement info Thu 18th Dec 2008 2:06am PST by tisha: show details
tisha: show details ... a major mainstream news source.. Any assisted suicide legislation in any part of the UK (not necessarily covering the entire UK) will be sufficient to settle this question. If there is no news by the suspend date, question will settle as 'no'.
Suspend date: Sat 28th Nov 11:59pm PST (1 week to go) details 
Get widget!Predictions (44)
tim14
predicted No (H$160 at 93%)
gsriderComments (2)
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This news is selected automatically based on the question, its background, options and tags
This news is selected automatically based on the question, its background, options and tags
score: 10
Mail Online UK 27 weeks ago
Nurses have reported a surge in requests from seriously ill patients and their relatives for information about assisted suicide. The Royal College of Nursing has responded with an announcement that it plans to send fresh guidance to all its members on
score: 10
Mail Online UK 27 weeks ago
Nurses have reported a surge in requests from seriously ill patients and their relatives for information about assisted suicide. The Royal College of Nursing has responded with an announcement that it plans to send fresh guidance to all its members on
score: 10
Mail Online UK 27 weeks ago
Nurses have reported a surge in requests from seriously ill patients and their relatives for information about assisted suicide. The Royal College of Nursing has responded with an announcement that it plans to send fresh guidance to all its members on
score: 10
The Scotsman 27 weeks ago
who aided four patients in ending their lives after helping draw up 1996 legislation in Australia which permitted euthanasia for the first time, showed a video on methods of taking your own life. The founder of pro-euthanasia group Exit International has
score: 10
Telegraph 28 weeks ago
Philip Nitschke. For well over a decade, they were friends as they launched a global campaign to legalise assisted suicide for terminally-ill patients. But after Dr Nitschke conducted a tour of Britain last week to show people how they can end their
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