Death is a difficult subject, particularly where it involves suffering. There are religious and ethical considerations. Overall, though, I come down on the side of choice. For animals, we say "Oh, they are suffering, it would be cruel to let them suffer any longer."
For human beings we say "Oh they are a human being, they must have every moment, every second, of pain and suffering that we can eke out for them!"
Not quite in line, those approaches, if you ask me.
Life in itself is not always inherently worth extending. It is only worth extending if there is quality of life, and if there is not, then sometimes more of it is actually worse and not better.
I had this thought on escape and survival. Escape is ALWAYS worth it, as it means getting away from something bad. Survival, however, is optional, as sometimes it is not worth it. This was something I was contemplating in regards to suicide and why people choose that route, but similar thoughts apply to choosing the time and manner of your death, euthanasia with patient consent. The escape from their suffering is definitely worth something, their survival may not be.
There are also impacts on society and on others - sustaining someone who has certain illnesses is a huge cost to family members, society, the medical profession, and more. If there is a hope of a cure, then that cost certainly can be worth it. At other times, though, you have to wonder if the cost is bringing nothing but suffering to the patient, so it's a lot of cost for no reason.
It was an interesting quote about us not being very good at dying. He may well be right.
That said, I think we have a ways to go before we are particularly good at living too
Ultimately, whatever anyone's views on the topic, my sympathies go out to anyone suffering from a chronic, incurable and terminal illness, and also to those who love and care for them.
