The question on everyone’s minds who watches the network news or reads the newspapers is — What is Dignitas?
A lot of us (even those in the field of dying) had never heard of Dignitas which is, as it turns out, a clinic in Zurich, Switzerland, run by a group engaged in assisted suicide.
And none of us would have been the wiser — except that Sir Edward Downes, a relatively famous British conductor, and his terminally ill wife Joan, checked into the clinic when they decided to die together.
How valid was their decision?
Well in the case of Joan Downes, who was dying of cancer — I’d say none of us has the right to second-guess her, or — more to the point — the work of the clinic.
But Sir Edward wasn’t anywhere near death. He was growing deaf, which is devastating of course for a musician, and was almost blind. And he was obviously devastated by the approaching loss of his wife who had been by his side 54 years.
Is that reason enough to end one’s own life? I can’t answer that. I’m in no position to tell people who have given up on living that they must, in defiance of their own wishes, go on doing so.
But my sympathy doesn’t extend to the actions of Dignitas or the Swiss clinic, both of which I consider frankly criminal. It’s one thing for a depressed person to kill himself. It’s quite another for an outsider to help that person.
I’d be interested in the reactions of some of my readers. Write and tell me what you think.
Here is a little more on Dignitas (http://genevalunch.com/2008/10/22/dignitas-suicide-aid-organization-refused-right-to-drugs/) which is quite well known in Europe. British media in particular have covered it several times because assisted suicide is illegal in Britain, but the government has never prosecuted anyone going to Switzerland from Britain to use the clinic or assist others.
There is a good deal of debate and discussion in Switzerland in the rest of Europe about this particular case and assisted suicide clinics in general. Here is a summary of and link to the long article in the UK Guardian by their daughter, who was with them when they died: http://genevalunch.com/2009/07/22/daughter-of-british-couple-who-died-at-swiss-dignitas-clinic-describes-their-death/.
I am sorry to repeat this, but when you start with killing unborn babies, there is no limit to anything — in fact the killing never stops.
So you think it’s ok for a depressed person to kill himself, but not ok to get help making sure whatever he takes to kill himself actually works? The man is almost blind — and he might botch it up. So, why not help him? I’m not taking a position one way or another about whether it’s right to commit suicide. I simply say if you do so, you should do it efficiently.
Is there no end to the rants of the “life” facists? Geez, give the unborn baby rale a rest already.
Back to the Dignitas blog…1. Depression does not meet the legal criteria for mental incompetence. 2. Pain is subjective - who is to say that the pain of depression is less than the pain of cancer or the specter of Alzheimers?
So hooray for Dignitas! When I am ready for my life to end, I’ll be surfing Orbitz for a cheap one-way ticket to Switzerland.
I am 56 years old and have been diagnosed with early breast cancer. I have already made my mind up when I am diagnosed with secondaries that i will not be taking any further treatment. I do not relish the thought of my family seeing me in the final throws of this dreadful disease. I have therefore registered with dignitas. Afterall you would not allow an animal to suffer, humans are no different.