The whole thing is a nightmare though and far from simple, unless we want a “Logan’s run” world.
I was unaware of "Logan's run" and just Googled. Thanks! -that is exactly what I was thinking of when I drew comparison to my fish at work which are kept in a "Logan's run" style.
I was thinking that Esther Rantzen wouldn't want that for her dog, and instead herself makes a judgement as to where to draw the line. But that is simple for her dog because the dog doesn't get a say. With a person, there is a fraught dynamic, where the patient is thinking of those around them and the family/society have conflicting emotions and social pressures -not to mention financial stresses -or a wish to have no perception of being influenced by such considerations etc etc.
My impression, from both the Coronation Street story line and the Louis Theroux documentary, was that having to deal with such dilemmas was another raft of anguish and the last thing we'd want to saddle patients and families with.