Monday, February 1, 2010

Terry Pratchett Ready to Support Assisted Suicide for Alzheimer's Patients



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By Bob DeMarco

Terry Pratchett is one of the world's most famous Alzheimer's patients. The best-selling British fantasy author says he believes an assisted suicide panel should be set up to help Britons who want to end their lives.

We should look to the medical profession that has helped us to live healthier lives to help us die peacefully among our loved ones -- Sir Terry Pratchett

Pratchett believes that "the time is really coming" for legalizing assisted death and he is going to speak out on the issue in a prepared speech.

Two recent U.K. polls back Pratchett's view.

In a survey for BBC Panorama, 73% of those questioned said friends or relatives should be allowed to help someone who is terminally ill to commit suicide without fear of punishment.

A YouGov poll of 2,053 people for the Telegraph produced even stronger support, with 80% saying that relatives should not be prosecuted, and 75% backing a change in the law.

Your opinion on assisted suicide for persons suffering from Alzheimer's and dementia?
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Bob DeMarco is the editor of the Alzheimer's Reading Room and an Alzheimer's caregiver. Bob has written more than 1,200 articles with more than 9,000 links on the Internet. Bob resides in Delray Beach, FL.

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