Euthanasia: should an individual have the right to die?

In the more than 3 years and almost 3000 posts that have appeared on Mamamia, we’ve never discussed euthenasia, a subject that’s been in the news this week after commercial TV stations refused to run an ad about it. Euthanasia is not legal in Australia. State laws prohibit anyone from assisting or giving advice to another person to commit suicide. The Northern Territory legalised it briefly in 1996 but that legislation was overturned by the Howard government.

The Age reports

“A controversial pro-euthanasia television advertisement, due to air last night, has been banned. The ad’s creator, lobby group Exit International, says the ban is a violation of free speech and it will try a different version within days.

The ad, which can be seen online, has an actor playing an ill-looking man sitting on a bed in his pyjamas. He reflects on the choices he has made throughout his life, then says he did not choose to be terminally ill. ”I didn’t choose to starve to death because eating is like swallowing razor blades,” he says in the ad.

”I’ve made my final choice. I just need the government to listen.” Free TV Australia, which regulates the industry, withdrew its permission for the $30,000 ad to be screened on the grounds it promotes suicide.

This is the ad.

What do you think?