Let's say there is a person in this world that is named "Homer". Homer has been diagnosed with a fatal disease. He has 9 months to live, and he is suffering great pain. As Homer approaches his natural death, the pain increases exponentially. Hommer can't stand the pain, he want's to die.
If Homer was the family's pet dog, he would be put down. It would be considered the humane thing to do. So, why not with people?
2006-12-18 19:24:37 · 14 answers · asked by blue_fenetre 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
"Homer wants to die", he just needs assistance in doing it.
2006-12-18 22:17:58 · update #1
From the responses, I think the argument against euthanasia is either:
1) A religious argument. Or
2) The rights of the patient. The patient might want to stay alive (even in a vegetative state).
I think the first is B.S, and I think the second holds some weight. The second argument could easily be negated though; just have the patient sign a consent form, or if he can’t have the family sign it.
2006-12-20 18:37:34 · update #2
I am completely, 100% with you on that. Countries like Australia, Switzerland, Belgium and Netherlands have already de-criminalized it. Maybe we will get there someday. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voluntary_euthanasia#Voluntary_Euthanasia
And of course it should have protections (like the agreeance of two or more docs about pt.'s condition) and it should be done under the supervision of a medical professional.
2006-12-18 19:25:40 · answer #1 · answered by ♥austingirl♥ 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I don't believe it is wrong and should not be illegal.Most people have no concept of how people die and are hung up on religious aspects and very little knowledge of what takes place in a human body as it shuts down.It is a sad thing when a person is so in pain that we can't help them.Yet if we kept a cat or dog alive suffering great pain we would be charged with cruelty. It is our body and should have control and be allowed to manage our final days,and have some say in weather we wish to be used as a medical experiment or not.When my father was dieing from a disease that was slowly chocking him and he would panic from not being able to take in breath because his tumor was growing around his wind pipe ,we prayed for his release.To watch someone you admire and love beyond all suffer pain and discomfort is such a torment . He prayed for the end . We as a family would have agreed 100% to help him and so would his doctor if such were legal. Why as a society do we deem it cruel to allow our dying to suffer so when we can safely and medically help with dignity.We treat animals with more respect than humans.What is wrong with that picture?
2016-05-23 06:37:03 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
While euthanasia is becoming more accepted in Europe, critics here invoke the "slippery slope" argument.
The difference between a euthanasia death and a murder isn't necessarily clear, and one's desire to die doesn't necessarily mean that it's morally correct to assist in the death of that person.
If we allow assisted suicides for terminally ill people, why not allow it for elderly people, handicapped people, or depressed people?
2006-12-18 19:34:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your question suggests that there's a hard and fast rule as to what's right and what's wrong. There is no rule pertaining to right and wrong. You can do whatever you want as long as you don't stop anyone else from doing what they want. It's a matter of personal freedom my friend, don't be caught up in other peoples imaginary belief systems, especially when it concerns death. "Do What Thou Wilt Be The Whole Of The Law...".
2006-12-18 19:36:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
its so circumstantial that they just had to make it illegal. there are so many grey areas that the court system would be so congested with family members protesting this and that in the event of an assisted suiside. it should be the decision of the patient and not the family, but when someone is in a veggitative state they can't really speak for themselves
2006-12-18 19:28:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I do not know why. But i suppose maybe in 6 mos there could be a possible remission or break through to help poor homer!
2006-12-18 19:27:24 · answer #6 · answered by ~Another Day~ 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You can't compare a dog to a human. What gives one human the right to decide when another human dies (outside of war or criminal punishment)? Besides, Euthanasia is not Homer "killing" himself, but when someone else decides its time for him to die.
2006-12-18 19:33:31 · answer #7 · answered by firerookie 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I wouldn't even do that to my pets. Why the hell would I do it to a person?
People seem to lack an understanding. So the person is in pain. But does that immediately means he want to die?
No. Everybody has their own wishes. If the guy want to be killed, fine, by all means. But in many cases, they don't want to die. They're still hoping for some kind of a miracle to happen.
A miracle that'll cure them. Get them back on their feet. Get them back to their normal way of life. Get them back to their family.
They still want to live. They have some much things to do in this world. So what right do OTHER people have to kill them?
2006-12-18 19:29:02 · answer #8 · answered by Diamond 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Because people would start using the defense statement while appearing in trial for murder, and by the way this is actually an okay defense plea in Texas, is "Your Honor, the reason why I shot him wuz becuz he needed killin."
2006-12-18 19:28:39 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
Because some people think that their religion is more important than someone's life. It's insanity.
2006-12-18 19:26:51 · answer #10 · answered by supensa 6 · 2⤊ 3⤋