is assisting to suicide a crime? what is YOUR opinion?

Question

don't get me wrong, i never assisted anyone to commit suicide.

this is not a matter of being in favor of it or not. i just thought to ask to know YOUR opinion about the matter.

what do you think and why?

Answer 1

yes it is, however yes you should have the option ia circumstances permit (such as a you have a terminal illness that is extremely painful) and even then it should only be assisted by a doctor.

Answer 2

Assisting suicide is a crime, because it is prohibited by states and federal law. Having life support removed from a person who's legal Representative (their power of attorney which is often a spouse, parent, or other person who is representing the critically ill patient and making decisions on behalf of them) is not considered assisted suicide. I personally think that people of the age of majority 18 and older should be able to make the decision, if they are of sound mind, to quicken their passing in cases of incurable painful diseases like late stages of terminal cancer . In quickening their passing I mean being able to make decision to be given lethal doses of pain killers if they so choose. If someone is in such a situation I think they should be able to make that decision and not have the legal authorities decide for them. I would personally though never recommend that people make the decision to commit suicide or have someone help them commit suicide in cases of critical illness, but I believe that people of sound mind have the right to make that decision. I also would not want to take that route if I were in such a situation. As mentioned before this is my opinion only and currently the practice of assisted suicide is illegal and comes with serious legal penalties.

Answer 3

In my opinion, it should be an option for patients with terminal diseases who want to end their pain.

The main problem in my mind is how it should be regulated. I think that these things should be handled on a case by case basis by a committee of physicians.

The other problem is that, from my experience and from what I have read, most of the ammendments to DNR orders and advanced directives are in favor of extending life saving measures or doing away with a DNR entirely. It seems that when it comes down to it, when people are a the very end of their lives, living a bit longer seems much more appealing than it did just before they made the advanced directive.

Just some food for thought.

Answer 4

Assisted suicide is wrong.

The reasonable alternative is hospice care, which is designed for comfort and pain control rather than 'healing' or 'saving a life'. Hospice care provides the ideal way for a human being to die naturally and with dignity.

Answer 5

In my own opinion, niether suicide nor assisting suicide is a crime, as long as you are sure that you aren't influencing an adult's intent.

Answer 6

I think it depends on purpose of suicide if suicide wish to end his life because of endless suffering from illness maybe it is justifiable to help end his life but if he wants to kill himself because of disappointment or deep frustration, I think you encourage him maybe considered illegal is appropriate.

Answer 7

this is a common ethical question...i am a nurse and some of the pts that i have taken care of may have benifited from this...granted i would not want to have a part in this taking place...i would not be oposed to use it for myself however...

Answer 8

hmm i would think its murder in the goverments eyes since your helping to kill someone. but personally i wouldnt do it because i dont believe in suicide. but since its what they want and your just helping i dont see anything wrong with it but then agian im not a judge.

Answer 9

Legally it is in many places yes, however that does not mean it is morally wrong

Answer 10

Depends on what state you are in (in the US). Some have legalized it, others have not.