What are your views on assisted suicide?

Question

I'm just wondering what everybody thinks.

We had a huge discussion about it in class today, and it's interesting to hear other people's point of views.

Answer 1

Before my mother died she suffered for several months, and it was horrible to know she was suffering. Still, I kept believing there was some slim chance she may get better; because when we know someone is close to dying I think Nature numbs us so we don't really believe what's going on.

She was home when she died. I found that she had "gone" when I went to check on her. After a lifetime with her, and after so many months of hoping she's get better and believing she couldn't possibly die, I was shocked to realize that the first thing I felt was relief that she was no longer suffering.

Even with all that, though, I still believe that assisted suicide is something nobody should have a right to take part in. I just can't come around to think any of us have a right to make that kind of decision for someone, and I can't help but keep thinking how when someone is in pain they often want to die (even if its just a horrible toothache or bad gallstones).

I think if a person is capable of doing his own suicide its his right; but he should not ask anyone else to help him and nobody else should volunteer.

When she was healthy but after my father had died, my mother (the exact one I mentioned above) said one time, "I know he wouldn't have been happy if he had had to live in the bed, but I would have been content just to have him there in the bed and still here." I think there is some very natural about wanting to have someone stay here with us for as long as possible and under any circumstances. It says something about love, doesn't it.

I know the argument that if you love someone you don't want them in pain, but I can't help but respect the kind of love that wants them here no matter what and that actually has the selfishness and trust in the other person's strength to hope they'll stay even if they're suffering.

When I found my mother still I was numb and relieved. She looked at peace. I didn't even feel sad really.

Still, there is something to be said for the kind of love and the kind of valuing of life that would make it impossible for someone to consider assisting in, or requesting assistance with, suicide. People can believe its more compassionate to help someone along if they're suffering, and they can claim that if we really love someone we'll let them go and stop suffering. While I'm a big one for operating on an intellectual level rather than an emotional one most of the time, I disagree.

I think when love is so strong and so powerful there is no way to operate on intellect and reason, and when someone who is usually unselfish says, "I can't care about anything but having them here with me" it kind of tells people something about life and the power of love and maybe even the peace that comes with knowing someone's life or death were not in our unworthy hands.

Answer 2

This is called euthanasia.
I am against assisted suicide.
Death is like birth. It happens and we don't have any control over it. The problem with assisted suicde is that where do you draw the line? If a kid has pimples and got a D on a test does that kid have the right to die?

Consider how hard people fight to surrive a disease. Think about a premature baby and how much is done to keep them alive.
In a world that works so hard at being alive where is there room for choosing death?

I also believe that it is wrong to painfully keep someone alive when death is calling their name.

As a nurse in the past I know that when someone is dying a person needs to be kept comfortable in their pain. Is it euthanasia when a dying patient dies from their morphine shot? Or is it just making them as comfortable as possible when they pass from this world to the next.

Lets don't give people the right to kill themself at their own chosen moment. But.......when they are dying... lets keep them comfortable as can be. And give them respect and honor when they do cross over to the other side. There needs to be a balance in life and in dying. One extreem or the other isn't right.

Answer 3

This is a question I have had to ask myself, because my mother had leukemia and was suffering very much...luckily or fortunately or sadly her life was taken yeserday December 6, 2006 at 0925. I have come to the conclusion that when you are in this kind of situation the best thing to do is to prepare and batten down the hatches for the release. Suicide in any form will only take away what little time you have...my mom had very little time with me and my siblings during life, but this illness and her last few weeks brought peace in my life and hers...Had she committed suicide she would not have been able to spend that time. That is my opinion.

Answer 4

I think that it is a personal choice. I know that I have a living will, so that I do not have to be on life support and I feel that assisted suicide is somewhat the same. That would be a hard decision, but on the other hand, would you want to see your loved one suffer knowing that they could be out of the pain they are in. If there is not hope, I think it is what I would want for my family and myself.

Answer 5

While I believe that it's not the best option, I think that ultimately it's up to the individual to decide. If I had to choose between a long, prolonged, painful - physically and mentally - death, or something quick, then I might go the quick route.

Something that not everyone considers: it's not just the person who is dying that is suffering. If you've got cancer and will die over the next 6 months, you're dying, but your loved ones have to watch you dying. It's not easy on you, but it's also not easy on them. It's not pretty, but you're saving them some pain also.

Answer 6

I think people who have a terminal medical condition have the right to a painless, quite, and dignified death. After all other treatment options have been exhausted, their life has started to deteriorate to a point where they no longer have any freedoms, and every waking moment is painful, they should be given the option of an 'assisted suicide'.

My grandfather had terminal colon cancer. When he felt he was ready 'to move on', his only option was to starve to death. This was one of the most horrible things to witness as it was so slow. It was difficult for him and his family members, and when he did pass on, we were happy that he was no longer experiencing that intense agony anymore.

I wouldn't think less of anyone in that situation, if they chose it.

Answer 7

i don't like the term, but people should have some way to control their life when they're incapable...

Answer 8

i feel if your helping someone kill themselfs then you are committing murder, you should try to help that person not help kill them.........

Answer 9

its bad