Filed under: Drugs & Politics | Tags: assisted suicide, Betty Cooks with Sodium, Euthanasia, euthanasia pill, exit international, painless killing, philip nitschke, suicide
“An instructional video on the first step in making a euthanasia pill has been released…” and director of Exit International, Philip Nitschke, says that “the possibility is there for those who wish to act on the information.”
Dictionary defined, euthanasia is the painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease or an irreversible coma; mercy killing; assisted suicide.
Basically a step-by-step euthanasia video, Betty Cooks with Sodium, is to be released in South Australia this week, and will be followed by workshops available only to those 50 years and over.
Surmising that my appalled reaction must be an indication of ignorance, I did a pathetic amount of research on the topic – see clip link below – and conclude that I actually have no strong objections to the pill itself. However, I think announcing its methods of production to the public isn’t a very good idea (FYI suicide rates are rising in Australia, see here.) But people need choice.
Article: here
Clip: here
Exit International: here
3 Comments so far
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hi Natalie
I know a LOT about the topic because I’m a passionate supporter of VE and I can tell you that you won’t really get the right idea with only a “pathetic amount of research”. Sorry! But I can say
- suicide of elderly people has been happening for decades – at the moment it’s about 2 a week (I haven’t read the link but this is what I think it is). They have all been doing it without access to any pill. They just go and hang themselves (this is the most common form, unfortunately).
- The making of the pill is a very long & time consuming project. Not to mention the time & effort needed to get all the equipment. If someone was just depressed they wouldn’t go to all this trouble. Definately NOT.
What VE does is actually help people LIVE LONGER. Studies have shown this – people live longer because they have peace of mind knowing they won’t suffer. Less stress so longer life. There are a lot of other facts and studies etc.
Makes sense.
So why won’t politicians listen? Because it’s only the wrinkled old tired and quiet senior citizens which are doing anything about it. or the other ones who are younger but sick and housebound, like me.
What society needs is people like YOU to mix with others and try to get change started.
Are you interested in doing anything along this area?
I’m in Sydney not far from Macquarie Uni so you can email me if you’re interested.
If there are others at Macquarie Uni reading this blog who and are interested in helping change things, post something as a reply.
It is widely acknowledged that the medical profession cannot give complete relief from suffering to some people. Why not allow people to have control over their end of life if they so wish?
Comment by Yo April 20, 2008 @ 5:42 amHi!
Comment by natalieam April 29, 2008 @ 11:30 amI’d definitely be interested to find out more about it.
I have a question – should the pill be available to emotionally unstable individuals (as we’ve established, some are depressed), when euthanasia can be performed by doctors upon request using a peaceful, painless overdose of morphine?
In this cirsumstance at least such a decision cannot be spontaneously acted upon by the individual.
And thanks for the insightful reply!
Somehow i missed the point. Probably lost in translation :) Anyway … nice blog to visit.
cheers, Mortice!
Comment by Mortice June 20, 2008 @ 10:07 pm