2007-02-01 10:17:41 · 9 answers · asked by ader 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Turning the question on its head -
Is it right for some-one else to insist that I must be kept alive in permanent pain, illness and suffering, if I wish to die?
I don't think so. It's MY life. It must be MY choice.
2007-02-01 10:32:07 · answer #1 · answered by Nightworks 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Unlike Abortion where someone is deciding for the unborn child, I believe that euthanasia or assisted suicide, as long as the person in question agrees, should be a personal choice.
Euthanasia of humans as a topic is often highly-charged—emotionally, politically, and morally. Terminology and laws change over time, geographically and globally, causing a great deal of confusion.
Terminal sedation is a combination of medically inducing a deep sleep and stopping other treatment, with the exception of medication for symptom control (such as analgesia). There is now increasing evidence that the use of sedatives and analgesics as recommended by palliative care physicians, do not shorten life or hasten death (seeOpioids). Consequently the use of such drugs by physicians trained in palliaitve care can no longer be viewed as euthanasia or physician assisted suicide as has been claimed, but simply effective symptom control without harming the patient. Intravenous administration is the most reliable and rapid way to accomplish euthanasia and therefore can be safely recommended. A coma is first induced by intravenous administration of 20 mg/kg thiopental sodium (Nesdonal) in a small volume (10 ml physiological saline). Then a triple intravenous dose of a non-depolarizing neuromuscular muscle relaxant is given, such as 20 mg pancuronium dibromide (Pavulon) or 20 mg vecuronium bromide (Norcuron). The muscle relaxant should preferably be given intravenously, in order to ensure optimal availability. Only for pancuronium dibromide (Pavulon) are there substantial indications that the agent may also be given intramuscularly in a dosage of 40 mg.
Some people approve of some forms of euthanasia in principle, but fear that if some forms of euthanasia are legalized other forms of euthanasia that they do not support will come into practice.
2007-02-01 18:23:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
A great film that handles this issue very well is The sea Inside by Amenabar. Otherwise humans seem to have an obsession with keeping life and eradicating death at all costs. Most people have a very unhealthy attitude to death and ageing. Check plastic surgery etc and general medication. I heard once that in eskimo tribes when someone through age became "useless" (he/she could no longer feed him/herself) that person walked away to die so that he/she would not be a burden to their tribe. Animals also do this when they are ill. They hide and try to die with a bit of dignity. What is wrong with someone accepting death? I think life belongs to the individual and if that individual chooses to not live then that is his or her right. I think the West is obsessed with hoarding. We can't let things go and we believe that we all belong to each other. We don't, we belong to ourselves.
2007-02-01 20:53:27 · answer #3 · answered by daydreaming_duchess 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i think it is right but only in certain circumstances. I dont think everyone should decide when they want to die. Personally only people with severe handicaps and serious illnesses where they are not going to survive or are not going to have much of a life should be given the right to say when enough is enough it is their life to be able to decide while they can. For silly cases where there is no real illness then no it isnt right
2007-02-01 18:29:07 · answer #4 · answered by kerry w 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
whats it like to be dead, one treads in unknown territory, what if
one is still alive like many folks believe in spirit form having no body anymore, no touch or feeling still feel hungry still feel like a cig maybe or a drink but cant have one would one not be desperat to go back and change ones mind and stay alive for as long as poss even though you may be in bad pain you would know you were alive.
2007-02-01 19:29:43 · answer #5 · answered by trucker 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion if the animal is suffering and won't make it then yees it is right. I love animals and I'd hate to see them suffer. It's a human way of ending their pain and suffering.
2007-02-01 18:32:24 · answer #6 · answered by angel h 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am all for it. If the person who's dying has an uncurable illness and it's his/her choice to decide when they 'want to go' then we have to respect their decision and comply.
2007-02-01 18:27:25 · answer #7 · answered by sbro 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Personally, I think it is right - everyone to their own.
2007-02-01 18:25:18 · answer #8 · answered by SADIE A 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
right. this is freedom.
2007-02-01 18:35:32 · answer #9 · answered by OAS 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋