Since there is another person involved, wouldn't it be more appropriately called homicide?
2007-03-05 06:29:21 · 11 answers · asked by D.L. Miller 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
The doctor merely sets up the equipment. The patient pushes the button. Its willful suicide.
2007-03-05 06:39:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The definitions of suicide and homicide are extremely subjective in this case. I would think that "assisted" suicide is the appropriate term. The person makes a rational decision whether or not to exist. In order to carry out their wishes in a humane way, they must enlist the help of another individual. If I remember correctly, Oregon may be the only state in which physicians can legally perform assisted suicides. It might have changed since the last time I checked.
Homicide takes on a more barbaric and cruel definition. Usually, the person who kills the other person has the rational and unforgiving mindset to perform the murderous act. They do it out of jealousy, greed, revenge or other factors. We can't necessarily label doctors murderers who legally cease the existence of a patient. They have a contract with the patient and they hardly gain anything from the patient's assisted suicide.
If your standpoint is on the illegal means of assisted suicide without the guidance of medical practices and law, then it might be a different situation. It gets kind of messy when someone claims that they killed their mom because she was "terminally ill."
2007-03-05 14:42:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
No, as the person is usually of sound mind, is terminal, and does nor want to suffer the long and significant pain associated with things like cancer!
Whether you believe it or not, assisted death, not suicide is a routine practice in this country, albeit an unspoken one!
I have seen many terminal patients over medicated with things like Morphine, exceeding normal doses by far! This is usually to suppress breathing and hastened death! It is usually done in hospitals!
Some are going to try and say it doesn't happen, but when I was in nursing school; I was to give another dose of Morphine to a terminal patient. I looked at the chart, went to my instructor as they had already given 10 times the maximum dose, and refused to give it. One of the floor nurses took the medication and gave it!
It would more than likely be called negligent homicide or manslaughter! And yes it is really suicide, though illegal! I haven't seen many prosecuted for it though!
2007-03-05 14:43:45 · answer #3 · answered by cantcu 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Homicide is when someone else takes someones life, assisted suicide is generally when a doctor gives a person some pills, and then the person decides whether to take them or not, hence the word assisted.
2007-03-05 14:34:55 · answer #4 · answered by kc 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, because the person would commit suicide were they able to do so. A homicide victim typically has no say in whether or not they want to die.
The factor involved here is choice. Whether or not you find it ethical or not, it is still that person's choice and is therefore suicide.
2007-03-05 14:36:58 · answer #5 · answered by Jason R 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, the person who died asked for assistance because they were unable to complete the act themselves. The person assisting helped them to administer drugs, or maybe supplied the means to end their life. This is not homicide, it is mercy.
2007-03-05 14:53:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, it can be said that "assisted suicide" is made by the other person with a proxy given to that person from the one wanting to die. The one who wants to die has made his or her own decision by him-/herself and now has made his or her will known to that person assisting and given permission to do it for him or her in his or her place since he or she cannot do it him-/herself.
2007-03-05 14:39:48 · answer #7 · answered by pihlajahaltia 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, you would assume that homocide would be against the victims will, if the person wants to die and received help then I would consider that "assisted suicide"
2007-03-05 14:32:24 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The person that is to die, still has to 'pull the trigger'
The other person, could be charged as an accomplice, since they assisted, but did not commit the actual murder.
2007-03-05 14:41:46 · answer #9 · answered by B H 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, because this is something that they want to do. A homicide, the victim has no choice in their death.
2007-03-05 14:34:13 · answer #10 · answered by Groovy 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋