should assisted suicide be legal?

Question

should assisted suicide be legal?

Answer 1

Absolutely not! What's the difference between doing the crime and witnessing the crime being done with full capability of stopping it?

Answer 2

no, every life has some use to it, even if you are old. No matter how bad your life is getting there is always something that you can do to help other people. Killing yourself is just taking the easy way out. If you are old teach the youth of your wisdom so they can learn the lessons that you have already learned. Plus suicide is the saddest way to hear some one die because they just gave up on life and they won't have any way to make up for people's opinion of them. If someone is dealing with a long disease and know that they will die eventually, this is sad but they will be remembered as someone who died of suicide rather then a long disease. Imagine how their children or relatives would tell people of how they died.

Answer 3

Yes, if the person is competent and of sound mind when the decision is made. How is forcing someone to live a painful, agonizing existence any different from torturing them physically? Physical torture isn't legal. So I don't believe the less tangible form of torture should be either. I realize it's a slippery slope, and there are downsides to every issue. But I believe it is more humane. I couldn't watch a loved one suffer against their will, day in and day out.

Answer 4

I think it should.

Based on my exp (I'm 54) I think part of the argument against making it legal is doctors wanting to make money.

My Mom (age 80) was on 30 medications. Had signed all the forms Do Not Revive, etc. Had gone to the hosp 3 times within 18 months, each time near death - each time the doctors brought her back.

Last time she got sick - and went to the E.R. - they did a fill resuscitation - even thought she had signed documents at the hospital stating not to do the procedures. After they were done, then they let me into the E.R. Mom laid in a coma from then (Tuesday at lunch) till Saturday at 8:45 AM when they finally pronounced her dead. They hosp was paid over $30,000 by Medicare/Medicaid.

Answer 5

Er- that's tricky. I know in some countries it is legal, but these countries are also now riddled with cases of doctors making the decision FOR the suffering patient (in other words, killing the patient without consent). That's definitely NOT ok. On the other hand, I watched my b-i-l die a few years ago and it was awful. If someone I loved begged me to help them end their misery, I honestly don't know what I'd do.

Answer 6

There should be a legal requirement that people who want to go that route must first exhaust all possible other preventative options (like the process of trial and appeals for capital punishment--killing anyone should not be such an easy process--you are condemning yourself to death effectively and your competency to decide that you should die must be verified by professionals). They should have documented that they attempted professional counseling, medical relief, etc. etc. etc. and the opinions of the professionals in these areas that "relief in not achievable for this person in this case".

Even faith healing, prayer, etc should be one of the hoops they have to try. Try it all and if all else fails then consider it 100 times more. Finally if the person is suffering beyond relief in excruciating pain then it can be considered.


Here is one for depression...
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Since you are considering suicide you need to get a grip on your mind/emotions. How does the mind work?

1. You think of the desired thing.
2. Your attachment for it deepens.
3. Your desire to have it increases.
4. The obstacles to getting it loom larger.
5. Your frustration mushrooms.
6. Your hope evaporates.
7. You are left with hopelessness and hope against hope.
8. Your eating gets affected.
9. You lose weight.
10. Your mental composure get dimented.
11. You lose sleep.
12. You become unclean in your habits.
13. You pray for death, but it doesnt come.
14. You contemplate takng your own life.
15. You kill yourself.
16. Your life is wasted.
17. You suffer a worse condition in your next life.
18. You still dont get the thing.

Stop thinking of it.

Your attachment will lessen.

Your desire will abate.

The obstacles will shrink (and maybe go away on their own).

Your frustration melts away.

Your hope for a better way of life grows moment by moment.

You enjoy nice meals again.

You start looking better.

You are happier.

Your get good sleep at night.

You take care of yourself.

You count your blessings and embrace life.

You make your contribution to society.

You live a worthwhile life.

Your next life is better.

You might still get the thing!


When your emotions get the better of you and throw you into a hellish condition, then you need to use your intelligence to analyze the situation and pull yourself out.

You will do it.

Let me know how it turns out.

Hope this helps.

Answer 7

No i don't think assisted suicide be legal mabey in an exteme case of sickness only

Answer 8

Of course it should be legal....But in the hands of unsavory folk you have the reasonableness of this act turn into murder. Always look out for the kook, that's why we have these laws because there are the nuts around and we must always legislate them out of the loop.

Answer 9

Yes, there is only one thing that sets apart what Jack Kevorkian did for people in pain and suffering, and killing yourself with tobacco, alcohol, unhealthy food and drink, and fast food. That one thing that sets both apart is Kevorkians way of helping people committing suicide wasn't slow and painful.

Answer 10

Personally I dont agree with it. But in Holland it legal.

Answer 11

No I don't think that it should be legal...

But I do understand why some doctors/people choose to do it in some circumstances.