Euthanasia?

Question

If it was legal would you opt to put a loved one out of their misery if they asked you?

My thoughts: we have compassion to put down our animals when they are dying of a chronic illness, or have had a traumatic event which there is no hope of recovery. Should we not extend this to humans?

Educated replies only please . . . I work in a field where every day I am faced with situations which are devistating to humans & their families.

Answer 1

You and I both know that people in the unrelievable pain of degenerative diseases already get "help" to die. A prescription for a powerful sleeping aid, an admonition that taking too many would be fatal, and a wink-wink, and these people get blessed relief.

Its one thing to "look the other way" while this sort of thing happens, and another thing entirely to encourage healthy people to decide when other people's lives are no longer worth living.

There are people with manageable, and treatable illnesses who, in a moment of pain and depression, might choose to die. They might also change their mind, but if you jab a needle in them you'll never know.

Finally, look at countries that do have a relaxed attitude towards euthanasia. What eventually happens is that death becomes an acceptable alternative to an "expensive" medical condition. People get encouraged to off themselves to save tax money or costs to their families.

Do we want that here?

Answer 2

Laws change as civilization matures. Laws are enforcements of perceived Morales at a given time. At some stage in our civilization, women were considered second class citizens, blacks were slaves and it was all legal.

Values change with time and with maturity. Sex before marriage was considered sin but it appears be more acceptable now.

I think when the human race will wake up one day and realize that ending suffering from misery is far better than clinging to old age laws.

My answer is :- Yes.

Answer 3

First, from my experience. Twenty years ago, my best friend & my father both died from cancer within 9 months of each other. Both asked me to help them die. I didn't say either yes or no, but talked with each about it. Both changed their minds. My decision was, if they persisted, I would, if I could get over the fear of getting caught. I would still HELP by setting up the ability for them to do it themselves; they would have to "flip the switch", however.

My dad also had given a verbal DNR order, which I coerced his doctor into following when she tried to have a feeding tube placed in him. Following a "no heroic measures" directive only allows death to occur naturally.

Euthanasia is neither a form or suicide nor a written directive to not use "heroic measures". I believe others should be able to enable a suicide, but take no part in causing the death itself. I would ask no more than that if I am ever in such a situation.

BTW, Jack Kervorkian was a serial killer. His example helped shape my views.

Answer 4

I would say yes, after very careful consideration of the particular case. I have seen people in hospices being kept alive...but they are no longer truly living. This one particular woman I know...her mind is gone. She can't move anymore, she can't even look out of her window. She no longer recognizes her loved ones. Her waking hours are spent suffering in her failing body, with only convoluted memories of the past to haunt her. What kind of living is that? She would have died a long time ago if she had not been forcefully kept alive.

I can see this generalizing to other areas as well, such as terminal illness. I believe it is important to outline these things in your will so that if the time comes, your loved ones can take care of you the way you truly want them to.

Answer 5

Well, there are hostels that do it for terminal patients in many states. The government and managed care like it because it saves them lots of money that otherwise would go to care. What they do is deprive the person of food and water until their body shuts down. I watched this with a relative two years ago and was disgusted.

Answer 6

I believe people have the right to die. It shouldn't even be an issue. Just because medicine and technology CAN keep a person alive that does not mean we SHOULD.

Answer 7

With nurses like you. Tell me where you Shipman and I will stay away.