I'm sure there are more sensible and better ways of handling something so fundamental and important but I don't see society facing up to it any time soon.

Society doesn't do anything; individuals comprising the society do. As an individual I will face up to it. If enough of us do that, society will appear to be more sensible. It's happening slowly but steadily, IMO.

Law, on the other hand, does all kinds of things. That will take more effort, politics or even revolution.

It's dying - if you believe in justice
Dying - and if you believe in freedom
Dying - let a man live his own life
Dying - rules and regulations, who needs them. Open up the door

-Graham Nash-