TERRY PRACHETT - CHOOSING TO DIE

 TERRY PRACHETT - CHOOSING TO DIE

Remember it’s not murder it’s assisted suicide.

Kindran Ornitier

Terry Prachett’s ‘Choosing to Die’ one – off controversial television documentary filmed specifically for BBC Scotland, predominantly supports the notion of assisted suicide. Similarly, it poses ethical concerns as it seeps into the participant’s private life in order to drive the narrative. This intrusive documentary features a 71- year old motor neuron disease sufferer who was willing to take his own life in a very peaceful manner at the Swiss assisted dying organisation – Dignitas with his wife. Accordingly, it gave the audience an insight into how Terry might choose to end his life after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s a few years ago. Although the film sparked controversy and was criticized by organizations that support life as well as Christian movements, the BBC was able to deny all the accusations it was bombarded with.

Furthermore, the approach of this documentary places the audience in an uncomfortable situation in terms of our engagement with the film. Although it is a film that educates and enlightens the audience, it also connects deeply with emotions which can sometimes be very detrimental in terms of emotional responses being triggered. It certainly is a documentary addressing the social/political issue of assisted suicide.

It prompts the question of whether attempted suicide is right or wrong and whether it should be legal in countries where it is still deemed as illegal.

In countries whereby religion is predominantly the opium of the people, assisted suicide will not necessarily be looked at as a pathway to peace rather, it would be seen as a pathway to fire and destruction especially from a Christian perspective. However, from a reality perspective which is a lot more black & white, it is deemed acceptable especially when critical circumstances are dominant with the person considering it.

In our opinion, if you a strong enough to consider suicide as the termination of your circumstance, you should be strong enough to overcome the zeal of committing suicide and hope a for a better tomorrow.

More like living in the hope of the unknown but being optimistic that your circumstance will get better.

According to the NHS (National Health Service), assisted suicide under the Suicide Act (1961) is illegal under the British Law as it is seen as encouraging an individual to kill themselves. It is punishable by up to 14 years imprisonment. However, committing suicide or attempting suicide is not a criminal act in itself.

The question still fondly remains that if you cannot give life, who are you to take life or assist someone in taking theirs?

What if there is a mind change in the process (after drinking poison) and it can’t be reversed?

Supporters involved in legalizing assisted suicide claim that everyone should have a right to freely do what they want with their lives as long as others are not harmed in the process. It is believed to be a freedom of choice and when some people want their lives taken with assistance, their choice should be respected. Some people are in circumstances whereby they are constantly in excruciating pain and are in the discomfort of terminal diseases, in this case it should be acceptable for them to take their life when they are ready to do so.

In the world we live in today, the 21st century can be viewed as a free world which supports the motive  -

‘To each their own’.