This week's poll comes courtesy of Shanshan, a PPE student who forwarded me this news item. Given we are in the midst of discussions around autonomy it seems a very fitting topic.
The article reads:
Australia’s oldest scientist, who caused a stir when his university tried to vacate his office aged 102, will fly to Switzerland in early May to end his life, reigniting a national euthanasia debate.
David Goodall, who is now 104, does not have a terminal illness but his quality of life has deteriorated and he has secured a fast-track appointment with an assisted dying agency in Basel, euthanasia advocates said.
“I greatly regret having reached that age,” the ecologist told broadcaster ABC on his birthday earlier this month. “I’m not happy. I want to die. It’s not sad particularly. What is sad is if one is prevented.
“My feeling is that an old person like myself should have full citizenship rights including the right of assisted suicide,” he added.
Read more here: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/apr/30/david-goodall-australia-oldest-scientist-to-end-own-life-in-switzerland
We often focus the euthanasia debate on the terminally ill, but what about those who are just tired of living- should they have the right to end their life? Is 104 years old enough, as in the case of David Goodall? if so, what about 84 or even 44years old - would we need to draw the line or is this a right that everyone should be entitled to?
What do you think?
Image source Alberto Biscalchin: https://www.flickr.com/photos/126396110@N06/26137241265