Suicide is legal - so someone like PC David Rathband decided that was what he wanted. Very, very sad, but he retained the physical ability to do it.
Tony Nicklinson (that prompted this thread) has decided he wants to end his life, but he phyisically can't.
In America, and no doubt other countries where capital punishment applies, the execution is witnessed with contingenices in place should a reprieve be sanctioned at the last moment. Why then, can't Tony Nicklinson be granted his wish by being asked before the 'act' was underataken if that is what he still wanted as he has the ability to communicate his wish. Witnessed by a senior police officer (and others as necessary) who have had no prior connection with Tony of his family so they can verify in writing that his wish was granted........... dare I say it, as everyone else seems to use it these days, he has been granted his "human rights".
I really don't know how the circumstances where the 'patient' is not able to communicate is helped but I'm simply responding to this latest case and I would have thought it not too difficult for the law to be re-written to cover these situations and dare I say stop the need for a growing number to leave this Country to go Dignitas and the like. What a sad situation that is - you can't end your life you home country (other than by killing yourself) due to Laws that are completely out of touch with reality.
Not a happy subject but I suspect there is a growing support by what I hear discussed in private - that we can keep people alive but if they decide their quality of life has gone their physical incapacity prevents their choice over others seems so unfair. It borders on a breach of equal opportunities in my book and I am certainly no supporter of the PC brigade drum bashers.
The effect on family and friends can also devastating and have a great effect on their lives, as I have personally seen. No one likes to see a loved one struggling as pills etc keep them alive - often for many years with both the sufferer and the relatives' quality of life all but evaporated.