Bill C-407 & dying with dignity

We currently have a bill before parliament dealing with euthanasia.  Bill C-407 contains the following central phrase:

(iv) ...has, while appearing to be lucid, designated in writing, before two witnesses with no personal interest in the death of the person, another person to act in his or her name with respect to the person who aids him or her to die, and with respect to any medical practitioner, while the person does not appear to be lucid...

Now what on earth does that mean?  I judge that you do not "appear to be lucid", or perhaps I judge that you do appear to be lucid.  It seems a rather ill conceived criterion for ending someone's life.

The text of the private member's bill is here.

An interesting perspective, from an award winning palliative care practicioner, is over here.

ps.  Nov 1-7 is national Down Syndrome Awareness Week in Canada.

Comments

[steve the z]

Yes I know people suffer, and no I don't know what it is like (totally). But why does this option continually arise? Dignity, we didn't come in the world with dignity. I don't believe there is such a thing as dignity in dying.