BarcelonaA macabre but interesting debate is underway in the United Kingdom, which is currently considering legalizing assisted dying for those who don't want to prolong their agony. The Labour government assures that if the measure is approved, companies providing this service will not be able to advertise. The initial instinct is to consider it just another instance of hypocrisy: if there are people who have decided to make one of the most complicated decisions imaginable, it would be good for them to know the available options.
But there is a disturbing precedent. In Belgium, three years ago, they made a commercial in which three very young and beautiful women, taking a break at the gym, talked about assisted dying and the possibility of registering while still fully capable as a preferred option in palliative care, should one ever lose the capacity to make decisions. They were so resplendent and serene, even Levitical, that anyone would be tempted to demand immediate euthanasia just for the privilege of being part of that fragrant group. The ageist and objectifying advertisement was eventually banned in the French-speaking part of the country because it was considered excessive and constituted a promotion of premature death, out of desperation on the part of those who advocate preserving life (their own and that of others) at all costs. Therefore, in the end, this dilemma is resolved by each person according to their level of trust in the human species. If it is high, they will consider that it does no harm to have information and to remove a thorny issue from the taboo. If it is low (and count me in this group), it is likely that in Spain we will not have Belgian gymnasts singing the praises of assisted death, but instead Belén Esteban will appear in an advertisement calling to the camera with a great profusion of priests saying "M"Leave now, and that's it!"
