http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/ju ... euthanasia

I like his honesty but also the fact he's made it a proper debate, when he could be rightfully selfish with his remaining time...

It is a debate that needs to be had. In fact I suspect with many people going to be poor when it comes to retirement, it might actually be best for all concerned that people unable to care for themselves in old age be given the option of taking the option of euthanasia, even being given a cash payout for doing so.

Unfortunately it's a debate that only those who don't have any real experience or knowledge of the process

I think it's mostly a very selfless thing to do in raising awareness and encouraging them to talk about it

Wow, there's so much wrong in that statement it's untrue. Paying people to comit suicide, are you for real?

I would have to agree, I believe people should die when they choose to but in no way should life be seen as a commodity. 'You're gran's going to end her life, here's a tenner' just doesn't seem right.

I shall most definitely be watching Sir Terry's program on the subject. I do believe that euthenasia should be an option open to the terminally ill and that it shouldn't be prohibitivly expensive to do so either.
That's rather different from actually paying people to kill themselves, that's a whole other kettle of fish and one that should be avoided like the plauge.

Many people would not want to be in such a state. My gran before she died dreaded being an alzheimer patient. She saw what it had done to patients when she was a nurse and her neighbours. It would not be for anyone. It must be terminal, or such that the quality of life for the person is so reduced that they want to die. Terry Pratchett has clearly said that he does not want to be like that. As for payment it could be offset against government pensions and future health care costs, be used for funeral costs. The person would not get the money. It might be used to cover any taxes and debts, used as a legacy for family or charity. For the government the long term costs would be eliminated for a one off payment. For the individual it would mean that they do not have to die without their faculties. It definitely should not be used for people who are not facing such dilemas It should be as rigourous as an assisted suicide with two doctors confirming that the patient will die from their illness and it will incapacitate them before death. There would have to be safeguards.

If I ever get to the point where I'm clearly no longer mobile, in control of my bodily functions, capable of cogent thought and reliant on other people (or machines, I suppose), I'd rather someone switched me off.
We allow animals that dignity, yet deny it to the ones we profess to love. You tend not to recover from old age...

Well, the last 15 minutes was difficult to watch. Still not entirely sure what to think but I can completely understand why the people in the film took the decisions they did. As Pratchett mentioned, he's seen the results of what happens if you try to do it DIY and make a mess of it so surely the Dignitas way is better?

Very mixed feelings. Nicola couldn't make her mind up either and she's a nurse seeing death daily (including DNR, turning machines off, etc).

Did anyone watch the Newsnight debate after the program?

I certainly appreciated the points that the anti side made that there was insufficient coverage of the other side of the argument in the program however that wasn't what the program was about. It would certainly be worthwhile the BBC doing another program that put the emphasis on palliative care & the role of the hospices, support in the home and all the rest of it. In either case hopefully this'll open up the debate. It's definitely something that needs to be debated in parliament.

Suicide is not illegal. Ending your life when you choose to should be the most fundamental right of everyone.

I didn't watch the program, but I do have strong personal views on this.

If, God forbid, I am ever in circumstances where there is little or no hope for a bright future, I would want to die.

This is for me, so that I am not suffering

For my family, to give them closure and also to avoid any unnecessary expense.

For the state and to save money pointlessly keeping me alive.

It would depend very much on the HOPE aspect.

Many people, I think, feel that they might try and kill themselves if paralysed- although it would for me very much depend on the extent of the paralysis. In my case, I would have to look at the quality of life that I have, but bear in mind the advances in medical science that might bring about a cure or some restoration of normal life.

In the case of Alzheimer's and related conditions, I would just rather die as soon as I had no knowledge of who my loved ones and indeed I was. I don't see the point is people visiting me to watch me sit staring while quietly s*****g myself.

I have seen many Alzheimer's patients and my neighbour had it for several years before dying recently. It is not living, it is existing.

As noted, I haven't watched the program and I do not intend to. I know that there is misery in the world and I see enough of it, so I usually avoid such things. Respect however to Terry and the very best wishes for him.

I think people should have the right to die like this, but it shouldn't be encouraged. That road to lead to all sorts of issues.