Locked-in syndrome victims lose 'right to die' case

[xchrom]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/aug/16/locked-in-syndrome-right-die


Tony Nicklinson and his wife immediately said they would appeal against the decision. Photograph: Jane Tomlinson/Bindmans/PA

Two victims of locked-in syndrome, including Tony Nicklinson who has sought to be able to end his "dull, miserable, demeaning, undignified and intolerable" life, have lost their high court battle to die with medical help.

Nicklinson, 58, was left paralysed below the neck after a stroke seven years ago and can now communicate only by blinking or through limited head movement. After a protracted legal battle it was decided he could not have a doctor intervene to end his "indignity" and still be protected from a murder charge.

Speaking after the judgment, Nicklinson and his wife immediately said they would appeal. Through a computer, a visibly distraught Nicklinson said: "I believe the legal team are prepared to go all the way, but it means yet another period of physical discomfort and mental anguish for me."

His wife, Jane Nicklinson, stood by her husband, who wept while she said the family knew it was a bold legal challenge but had hoped for a better decision. "They say it is for parliament to decide," she said, "but [the judgment] is incredibly one-sided, with only points addressed by the opposition. All of the points we put forward have barely been touched upon." She added that the family had had enough of "being ignored".

[budkin]

1. Life is precious!

[get the red out]

2. I hate this

We can give dignity and an end to suffering to our pets that is completely unacceptable to offer our fellow human beings, at their request even.

[GreenPartyVoter]

6. Exactly!

[sinkingfeeling]

3. Gee, I would think human beings have a divine right to die with dignity.

[Downwinder]

4. Can't afford to lose any consumers.

[PDJane]

5. Obviously, not to this man.........nor do I blame him.

[mopinko]

7. i do not blame this man. this is really outrageous.

and ya know, i think this fight is just about ideological consistency and purity of the right to lifers. just disgusting.

[smirkymonkey]

8. This is so sad, I can't imagine what it must be like living like that.

However, I know if i was in the same situation, I would want out as soon as it was determined that my situation was hopeless and I would want a caring medical staff and family to help me to leave this world while I still had some dignity left.

WTF with it wth these Pro-Life "at any cost" groups anyway? They could obviously care less about actual human suffering. I hardly think that is a "pious" position.