What are your thoughts on Euthanasia?

Question

Arguments for and against will both be interesting

Answer 1

I would like the freedom of choice and the ability to not die a lingering horrible death like my dad did

Answer 2

In third world countries, death and mortality (particularly in infancy) is much higher than it is in the UK. This is compensated by a higher birth rate. In a third world country, the question of Euthanasia is never asked.

We ask it in developed worlds, because some people are given life support which is not natural. Birth rates are very low, and similarly death rates are low. The population in developed worlds becomes top heavy with people living well beyond natural working age (or child bearing age).

My thoughts are similar to the questions of suicide or abortions. They happen, and for those who make or assist that decision, they have to deal with their own conscience. Just as a soldier has to deal with death, my thoughts are some people die before their time is up and some die after.

Life is for living while you can. When you are dead, will you care about Euthanasia?

Answer 3

I think everyone should have a choice.I have seen people I love pass away in heartbreaking circumstances with monitored pain relief and dignity gone.
If there is no hope whatsoever of them recovering they should be allowed to die if and when they wish.
To take away the risk of uncertainty or the decision resting on family those who would wish it should be able to have a legal document like a will. On admission to hospital they should inform the Doctor of their wishes and if at that time they are not capable the document is their proof,
I know it is a touchy subject and many people don't agree, I didn't until I experienced it , but I would have gladly done it myself to stop their suffering.
To some it is no comparison but if an animal is suffering it is put to sleep,that animal has no choice.We should have the choice,

Answer 4

It seems ridiculous to me that the withdrawal of life saving/life pro-longing treatment is permissible in cases where there is no prospect of recovery, and yet, a positive step to end ones life in cases where there is no potential for improvement is illegal. The act of euthanasia allows someone in an unbearable and hopeless position to die a peaceful and dignified death.

I personally believe that if closely regulated, a person should not be discriminated against simply because they are no longer physically capable to end their lives themselves. Again, it must be thoroughly regulated and be a voluntary and well considered request. Special precautions should apply, such as an independent consult and possibly a psychological examination to determine proper consent to the procedure.

I feel strongly that if a person has a right to life (seen through provisions such as a right to health, or in Ireland, constitutional rights like that from the State - to respect, defend and vindicate the personal rights of the citizen) then why does this right to life not equate to a right to death? Is it not respecting one's life to let them die painfree and peacefully?!

If it can work successfully in Holland, I see no reason why it shouldn't be available everywhere. By not allowing euthanasia, it is my opinion that the legislature is simply satisfying their own selfish beliefs, rather than working to help the frail and unfortunate members of our society, stuck in hospital beds somewhere... just waiting, in pain, until it finally ends.

Answer 5

Well, I am a firm believer that I control my life, and I choose when to end it. But helping someone with dying? I would do it only if they signed a letter stating that they chose to die, and I only assisted them carrying out their wishes. I don't know if I would ever ask someone to help me end my life, for that is a HUGE thing to ask another human being. But I do think it is the choice of the person to make.

If you are talking about "pulling the plug" on another person that is incapable of speaking for themselves, I think that their wishes should be respected. My family, husband, and close friends know that I do not wish to be kept alive by artificial means if there is little to no chance of me recovering to an extent allowing me to lead what I believe is a good "quality of life". I have also written a "living will" so that my wishes are in writing, and someone can't come along and decide to fight my husband against my decision. I don't want a situation like Terry Shivo had to endure. I know my parents wouldn't do such a thing to me, but I am afraid that some busy-body would come in and decide that they knew what was best for me.

Hope I wasn't too confusing. I am for it, as long as it is what the person absolutely wants.

Answer 6

I'm all for it. Who are we or who is anyone for that matter to tell someone they don't have the right to die. I just think if someone wants to go, then by God that is their choice. And if they happen to need a little help in the process, what would having a professional medical care-giver making sure they go in the most comfortable and painless way hurt?

While it is a selfish act to want to commit suicide, it is also just as selfish to tell someone they can't. We're obviously not keeping these people around because they bring something to the table. We are keeping these people around because someone doesn't want to have to face their fears about the death of a loved one. It does us no good as a society to keep people around who don't want to be here.

While I've dealt with the suicide of a teacher in high school, and believe me it was very difficult, I will never say that someone doesn't have the right to die. We all do it and taking away someone's ability to do it, or to taking someone's ability to help those who do want to do it is just a little bit ridiculous. Thanks and have a nice day.

Answer 7

Euthanasia n. 1.Painless,peaceful death. 2.The deliberate putting to death, also called mercy killing.Because of no inner strength knowone in my families have not been abel to do it,but they have asked of me to do it for them.Whether you do it or ask someone else to do it for you the blame or responsibility is still yours to share.So of all of you who are against it or ask someone else to do it for you , easy death of a being which is suffering from an agony or unrelenting pain which it cannot control is an option to be considered.I have done it to Loved members of my family,either because I was asked to or because knowone else could or because the pain and agony was too unbareabel.Hopefully if it ever occurs and I happen to be in such a situation wear the pain and agony is unbareabel there will be a member of my life that may help with my demise.

Answer 8

Moral and religious issues aside, I think people should be able to make their own choices about such things without the interference of the law.

Extreme disability, terminal illness, reduced faculties are all reasons that an individual might want to make that choice. I have made that choice for deeply beloved pets when quality of life becomes and issue, I think people should be able to make the same choice. If life is a torment, why prolong it?

Answer 9

obviously a painless death is what anyone would want for a loved on who was suffering, but what of the danger of corrupt people outside or even inside the health care system murdering people? there have been cases in the news of a nurse who gave people fatal overdoses of drugs because he enjoyed trying to revive them, and he even killed some before being found out and stopped. how many innocent people could be killed by corrupt individuals, doing it for a number of reasons that have nothing what so ever to do with wanting to make that person suffer less? why remove their only legal protection? if it is introduce, there will have to be many safety guards, or people like this will slip through the net.

Answer 10

This topic gets talked to death.

Here is my thought - If I get to the point where I am suffering with no hope of recovery and I don't have the strength or the means to do myself in then someone who loves me better damn well do it.

Life is not measured in quantity, but quality - once the quality is gone then it's time to take a dirt nap.

Answer 11

The notion of keeping someone alive, in pain, until they finally and thankfully expire in humiliating circumstances is a bug, an unwanted behaviour of the Hippocratic oath.

I would rather be able to choose my own moment, to be honest.