Sir, - I have learned that Lord Winston (one of the pioneers of fertility treatments) has made a television series about life in all its stages, including death. I understand that another series is in the making, following the progress of a patient with Alzheimer's disease, which will include televising his death. Two years ago we had the unedifying experience of seeing a television programme about euthanasia - death on request. Here we were spared the final moments of this poor man's death. The producer, realising that there was something extremely personal happening, had the courtesy to stop filming.
It is my opinion that this society, and most Western societies, are entirely media-driven, and the idea of televising someone's demise is yet another example of this phenomenon. This appalling idea represents the apotheosis of voyeuristic journalism. We have grown accustomed to many medical procedures being televised - open heart surgery, etc - and this has been useful and educational. However, I am completely at a loss to fathom what possible good can come from seeing a human life ending. Surely, in this world of the global village, and ready access to information technology, certain things can remain private and personal?
My greatest fear would be that when we, the viewing public, grow accustomed to seeing death on our screens, to achieve bigger audiences the media will find it necessary to see all forms of death - violent, or, possibly, self-inflicted. Where would this end?
It is my earnest hope that we will not be "taken in" by our friends in the media, who will argue that there is a demand for this type of sensationalist television. In my view, there is no such demand, and I hope that, as mature people, we can assure television producers that some things are better left to the individual and not the collective. Death is the ultimate personal experience, to be shared with a loved one, and not by a million people waiting to see Coronation Street! - Yours, etc., Denis J. Donohoe, MB
Medical director, Extended Care Division, Our Lady's Hospice, Harold's Cross, Dublin 6.