Mercy Killing????Should people be made to suffer if their quality of life has been diminished??

Question

Everyone measures the quality of life differently however, should'nt they be allowed to die in a more humane way so they do not have to suffer....I have seen suffering.....I would not wish it for anyone...I have held the hand of a person that is slowly dying and begged for help....If there was a point of no return would u want to wither away slowly or die humanely....why would it be so wrong to not want to suffer

My father has told me never to let him suffer.....i will honor his wishes

If we can decide to have everything done possible to save our life then why can't we have the right to die as well

Answer 1

If people can decide to kill their child, then surely they can decide to kill themself, right?

I, personally, think the person can make that decision if they want. I'm a little more torn on others making that decision for you. Where do you draw the line? If they are beyond capability to make a decision like that, then hopefully they are also beyond the ability to feel the pain and suffer. I say, don't waste the money on me if it seems clear I will die, even if I'm not suffering. But that's me.

Answer 2

Each situation is different. Terminally ill should not suffer and with the number of drugs available, it should never happen. Even if money is an issue, the funds for providing relief from suffering is available.
In cases of brain-dead vegetables, pull the plug, but don't make them suffer.

Answer 3

I do think that people should be able to decide if they want heroic measures to keep them alive or not. But Killing them outside of their natural death is taking on the role of God in a way. Sure, remove life support if thats whats keeping someone alive, but once we decide that its acceptable, even admirable to end the suffering of others, where do you draw the line? The sick and elderly will begin to feel that they are selfish if they want to live, they will not want to be a burden. And what about the diseased and starving in some countries, should we just commit genocide and wipe out all the suffering that those poor people are going through? Its a tough one, I know, but not a decision that I think we should make.

Answer 4

My grandmother passed away several years ago. My mother and her sister stayed with her in her last few WEEKS watching her die because she refused to call the doctor and have them fix the damage left after several strokes and whatnot. She simply refused food and water. I believe she finally relented and let them give her water but she passed anyway. a few years or so later, after I had the stomach surgery that she left to my mom for me to be able to pay for (what wasn't already covered), I had an allergic reaction to an antibiotic I was given for a simple sinus infection. After two months spent continouously throwing up everything I took in and sever EGD's and medications later I found myself understanding just how horrible a death she really suffered before they finally put me in the hospital at 82 pounds and almost dead myself. My body was just a few days short of all of my body's systems beginning their own final shutdown. I was supposed to be in for day surgery to place a feeding tube into me and because I was so close to death they made me stay for several days doing I.V's with all manner of stuff mixed in it to nourish me enough to feel safe sending me home. Now a year later I am still only at 100 lbs. but I am off the feeding tube and on the mend but it has been a long, slow road. I think I would have to say if it weren't for my faith and my family refusing to let me go...my children are still small...I would have just told them to let me go peacefully too. I believe a person should be allowed to have a living will which should include arrangements for assisted suicide if they become so ill and bedridden and in pain that their quality of life has become unbearable for them.

Answer 5

NO! NO!NO!!! This issue really came to light as of late, my husbands grandfather just passed yesterday morning and we were there the day before only to find out that because his lungs were filling up with fluid they wouldn't and couldn't give him water or food so for the last two weeks he has been made to suffer unable to speak. He was an independent man and this was the last thing that he would have wanted for himself,it was horrible to see him like that!..

Answer 6

I agree with you 100%. Those who say that mercy killings are wrong have never watched a loved one slowly and painfully die. My uncle died of lung cancer, but towards the end he couldn't eat and could only drink water, even that he would occasionally throw up because of the chemo. When he died, my first thoughts were, "Good, he is finally without pain once again."

Answer 7

Only God has the right to take life. Doctors do not have the right to prolong life against the will of a patient or the family. Doctors and judges are not gods---they do not have the right to determine who will live and who will die, but they do it anyway. If a person is saved, then there is no suffering after death. Suffering does serve a purpose----each one of us has suffered at the hands of this world from the day of birth. This is so that someday we might understand and receive the greater glory of God.

Answer 8

Life is struggle and I believe that suffering has a purpose. No one wants to suffer but I think ending one's life should be a very last resort. I've experienced intense pain and severe illness but my desire to live through it and overcome it was far more powerful than my desire to try and escape from suffering, although I would never condemn anyone who sought to escape from a terminal illness.

Answer 9

Beware the slippery slope. Just what do you mean by 'diminished'? I wear glasses. Does that mean my quality of life is diminished? I certainly wouldn't want to die just for that!
Voluntary euthenasia is the law in Holland. And death has become an industry there. Doctors are pressured to kill off the old and infirm just because the kids don't want to take care of them. The wishes of the elderly are not even considered in some cases!
No thank you!

Answer 10

Your question reminds me of another. "They shoot horses, don't they?"

If you have ever been in the unfortunate position of having to put a beloved pet down, you cannot help but wonder, "Why don't we behave as compassionately towards our fellow human beings?" I think the answer rests with, "Just who should decide?" To date, no one has been able to come up with a satisfactory answer to that question so we, in North America, are still left with being able to act compassionately and humanly to animals but not to ourselves.

I think we should all look to the Netherlands. Euthanasia is legal there. Somehow they figured it out. Perhaps there answer to the question could be applied here.