In addition, there is a current campaign, at least in the United Kingdom, promoting the idea of voluntary "assisted dying" for the elderly. It still isn't legal here, but people can go to the Swiss organisation Dignitas. A celebrity recently announced that she was choosing that option, commenting on the discrepancy that people are allowed to put their pets "to sleep" when they are incurably ill, but aren'tpermitted that choice in their own cases. That is precisely the analogy I find disturbing, because nobody asks a pet's permission before putting it down "for its own good", and the argument seems to invite the world to treat the elderly in the same way.
I've been expecting this development ever since abortion was legalised. "Let them die with dignity" has exactly the same specious ring as "Every child should be a wanted child". It could come in stages. First, no more waiting if a patient lapses into a coma or simople unconsciousnes. Then, the "merciful" treatment of those diagnosed as incurably ill, or simply suffering from dementia. Finally the compulsory maximum age-limit; "Look, three-score years and ten is in the Bible, what are you complaining about?"
I've been expecting this development ever since abortion was legalised. "Let them die with dignity" has exactly the same specious ring as "Every child should be a wanted child". It could come in stages. First, no more waiting if a patient lapses into a coma or simople unconsciousnes. Then, the "merciful" treatment of those diagnosed as incurably ill, or simply suffering from dementia. Finally the compulsory maximum age-limit; "Look, three-score years and ten is in the Bible, what are you complaining about?"
