Dunedin woman (79) to get death wish tattoo

To re cap: I did not mean that the University or medical profession are 'retarded', only that so called 'civilized' institutions generally seem to be backward-thinking with regard to this all-important issue, an issue that screams out to be publicly acknowledged and condoned.
I hope to 'god' that by the time I am ready to meet my maker that I may choose to end my physical life in a body which experiences nothing but agony 24/7! I pray to be able to take a few small pills to escape monotony and humiliation when I can no longer perform the most basic of human functions, like feeding myself or visiting the bathroom. When I am forced to be cared for like I was an infant vegetable, yet with a mind which is still sharp and agile, I would yearn for an escape route. Put a dying being out of its misery if it desires and has reasonable grounds (is not simply suicidal) and make space for those who live.
The problem is our society's primitive understanding of 'death'- which it still sees as unpleasant or devilish and does not even attempt to understand or integrate into Life- unlike many so called 'native' cultures who have a more unified understanding of 'the circle of life'and accept the inevitable with awe and reverence. Some cultures even send their old and sick out to the forest to die in dignity and naturalness.
Lastly, it is inhumane to not put a miserable, withering creature out of its misery. And Christian principles, like some 'humane' practices, are both unethical and outdated. Abortion and euthanasia are humane when one has the right to choose (and is not forced into doing it for other reasons).
Rene

I think what Ms Westoby is doing is fabulously brave and forward-thinking, even anarchistic. Unfortunately, she is dead right with her comments regarding the University of Otago and the medical profession, they generally are backward-thinking or 'retarded'.
As a young woman in the prime of my life and about to create life I often find my mind drifting towards thoughts of the inevitable- my demise and the certain death of everybody I know- as death is life's only certainty (asides from governmental taxing!).
I find it absurd that such an ubiquitous, universal subject reminds so taboo to us 'enlightened' modern day folk, that even though we are permitted to make our own choices about a myriad of issues (abortion, sex or name changes, breast-implants, gay marriage) we are still thoroughly immersed in the dark ages when it comes to the perfectly logical decision of when we believe and feel we should be permitted to die.
Euthanasia is no more taboo than speaking out about subjects such as Domestic Violence, AIDS, or Sexual Abuse, and much unnecessary suffering is endured by people who need to die and can no longer contribute anything of value to society, and are painfully aware of this. Until we can evolve as a society and really start to tackle these issues, more people are going to be suffering in silence, all because humans shun that which they do not understand, and thus fear.
Wake up.
Rene.