Is it fair to do euthanasia?

Question

Netherlands has made it legal, but is it really fair to do mercy killing?

Answer 1

Not sure I understand the term "fair" when it comes to euthanasia of a human being. Is it Fair that the person suffering wants to die and no one can help them do it?
I recently sat at the hospital for thirty-six hours while my mother slowly degraded and finally her heart failed. She'd been ill for several years and this was the last lap for her. She knew it going into the surgery. When they couldn't wean her off the vent, they wanted to transfer her to a long term care facility that could do it professionally and take the time it would need. They found out through further tests that even if they managed to get her off the vent, she'd only live 'maybe' another month.
Mom didn't want to wait. Kept telling me, mouthing the words with me trying to understand and repeating what I thought she'd said, that she wanted the vent tube OUT. I asked if she knew she'd die if they took it out, and she said yes. I had them remove it. Three hours later, she yanked at the feeding tube and demanded it be removed. I had them remove it, too. Thirty-six hours later, she passed away.
I rarely left her bedside. The poor nurses would come in and have to hold their noses 'cause I was starting to get a little rank in the smelly department.
One nurse, after two days of my being there, asked if she could do anything and I told her "Yes. Overdose her and let her suffering end." All the poor woman could do was hang her head, a look of 'I can't help you there,' on her face, then she explained that Legally she couldn't do that. And I knew that already when I suggested it.
But what is Fair? Mercy killing when the patient is hopeless? Or letting them suffer for God only knows how long? I guess I can only hope that I made the right decision for her. My only consolation is that she told me to do it, and I did what she wanted, and she can't send me to my room for not doing what she told me to.
Answer this for me, Why is it considered Humane to destroy an animal that's in the same health that my mother was, but it's Inhumane to do it to a human? Shouldn't 'Humane' start with Humans first?

Answer 2

As far as religion is concerned, my answer here does not constitute any biblical sayings --- just my personal feelings. My personal feelings are if a person is suffering and there is NO chance of them getting better - i.e. they will die soon, then why not? I guess the fact that we can put our pets down so they don't suffer longer.....what's the difference? Watching a person suffering in illness is a very very difficult thing to watch them go through. They usually WANT to die and know they aren't going to get any better. That is usually the case.

Answer 3

Absolutely. What is not fair is to make a living thing who is terminally ill, suffer through its last days. Could you watch somebody you love be in pain for days, even weeks, until their last natural breath?

Answer 4

Sure, if a person is suffering and wants to put an end to it this should be allowed, everyone should still be master of their own destiny and therefore able to choose how and when to die.

Answer 5

If it puts a person off suffering, I'm all for it as long as the person himself or his next of kin consent to it... People really shouldn't suffer in dying... Its really inhumane to see them struggling for their lives...

Answer 6

yes, as long as the person themselves has agreed while in a sane state, or next of kin agrees... (like laws for writing wills)

Answer 7

mercy killing..? though it is prohibited bu the law of God, i think it is a necessity..

Answer 8

Yes - - - people should have the right to die.