MOST of the online responses to this week’s webpoll question around personal choice for “assisted dying” to end irremediable suffering were in favour of legalised euthanasia.

Of the 356 people who responded to the webpoll question, “are you for or against New Zealand allowing the option of assisted dying for people with a terminal illness or a grievous and irremediable medical condition?”, 72 percent (255 people) said they were for it.

Those against it made up little more than 20 percent. Seven percent (27) were undecided.

The right to choose to die with dignity, rather than dwindle though prolonged suffering, was a common feeling among several of those who supported the euthanasia option.

“I hope someone carries out my wishes if and when I request help,” said one person.

“We take care of our animals when they are suffering and dying, and the majority of human beings wish to die with dignity.”

“Why lose all your dignity, especially if you have no control over yourself and are just slowly dying,” said another.

Many of those in support of the assisted dying option spoke from the experience of seeing a loved one suffer.

“My wife would have gladly taken something,” said one respondent.

“She spoke of it often. Caring and watching her at home dying with cancer took a strong man to watch and bear. There is a God? Laughable.”

Another person’s relative had terminal cancer as well as a stroke that left her paralysed for nine months before she died.

“I would hate to be in that position. I think the question is on the same footing as ‘do not resuscitate’. I really believe we should have the right to say whether we live or die.”

A range of reasons were given by the 21 percent (74 people) of those against assisted dying but at least three people suggested euthanasia was the thin end of the wedge.

“Once legal murder is approved, it won’t be long until fit and well people are murdered for being inconvenient and expensive to maintain,” was one such argument.

Assisting people to die encourages suicide and weakens people’s spirit to live, was another.

“It sends a negative message of hopelessness into the world.”

Assisted dying would not stop at terminally ill people, said another of those opposed to personal choice for euthanasia.

“In Belgium they allow mentally ill patients to have assisted suicide. We are supposed to help the anxious and depressed, not agree their life is not worth living.

One person in the “no” camp took a slightly different stance.

Should euthanasia be legalised, health care staff should be given the option of opting out of involvement with ending a life, he or she said.

“While it’s totally understandable an individual should seek an end to their suffering, there needs to be a national conversation regarding who will be expected to bear the considerable responsibility for that task.”