2007-12-05 07:33:48 · 21 answers · asked by Danielle 6 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
If it's good enough for Rover why isn't it good enough for me?
I can put my dog down so he won't suffer - but if it's me and I am in agony and going to die.....oh well tough it out.
2007-12-05 07:36:54 · answer #1 · answered by Susie D 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
This is a long-running ethical issue.
If a someone is for the Death Penalty, but against euthanasia, does this mean he advocates the taking of human life for criminals, but not to allow people to end their suffering?
If a person is pro-abortion, partly because the fetus may live with a life-long deformity necessitating life nursing care, but is against euthanasia, does this mean this person would rather see a human suffer than a fetus?
The problem I see is that most people who want to be put out of their misery, may no longer have the capacity to give their consent, due to the pain and depression.
Further, if someone wrote a Power of Attorney requesting to be put out of their misery ahead of time, what if the person, later on, decides he wants to live after all?
I believe only in the most extreme cases, under a doctor's recommendation, should euthanasia be allowed.
2007-12-05 07:49:35 · answer #2 · answered by MenifeeManiac 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't believe in "assisted suicide" as in actively causing the death of someone a la Dr. Kavorkian.
I do believe that it is appropriate for a person to have a living will and request that no extraordinary measures be taken to preserve life (no life support in cases of terminal illness/no chance of recovery). By making these wishes known ahead of time, a person can take the burden off the family members in making these hard decisions. I believe that our medical technology has in some ways gotten ahead of our ethical ability to sort it all out, and it ends up seeming as if either we or the doctors and lawyers are trying to play God.
I don't think I could ever bring myself to pull the plug or give any sort of euthanasia drugs to someone under any circumstances, but neither would I insist on life-preserving measures for someone if I knew they wished otherwise.
There is an excellent new novel called "The Choice" by Nicholas Sparks (author of "The Notebook" and "Message in a Bottle") that deals with this subject.
By the way, your question made me think of a funny old bit by Gilda Radner as Emily Latella on original SNL. If you remember the character, she would always get a term or phrase mixed up because she was hard of hearing or didn't quite understand the concept. One week her commentary was on "Youth in Asia" which she mistakenly confused with euthanasia. Once Chevy Chase explained it to her, her punchline was always the same......."Oh, that's very different. Never mind!" I miss Gilda--she was my very favorite of the SNL cast members!
2007-12-05 07:44:12 · answer #3 · answered by arklatexrat 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I think people is dire pain, with incurable diseases, should have the right to terminate their own lives.
The current situation creates the horror of people being forced to live in pain; this benefits no one, with the possible exception of the vultures of the 'health-care' industry, who always profit hugely off of people's suffering.
Those on the religious right who oppose suicide should be satisfied that if there is a god, it is up to her to judge
2007-12-05 07:39:43 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's a touchy subject to say the least. You know if Nancy Crusan's father isn't in heaven because he committed suicide...I don't wanna go either.
2007-12-05 07:37:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh it's already been planned out for me should I become a total dependent. I have a very good friend who has promised that my death will be quick and as painless as possible.
2007-12-05 08:18:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i agree 100% with it. i think that if it were regulated and given the correct supervision it could be done in a very humane way.
I think people are just nervous about doctors abusing patients and forcing them to do it.
2007-12-05 07:44:45 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Its a hard choice: to have someone you love who is in pain or is never going to respond vs letting them pass on and not be in that state anymore. If your selfish then you keep them arround but deep down you know they should move on. Hard decision I hope I never have to go through it.
2007-12-05 07:40:03 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE PERSON. THEY MAY NOT BE IN THE RIGHT STATE OF MIND, BUT SOMETIMES PEOPLES LIVES ARE JUST REALLY BAD, AND NO 1 SHOULD HAVE TO LIVE LIKE THAT. I ALWAYS LOOK AT THINGS LIKE.. THINGS GET WORSE B4 THEY GET BETTER.. THATS THE LINE I'VE USED 2MANY TIMES TALKING MY FRIENDS OUT OF SUICIDE..
2007-12-05 07:37:08 · answer #9 · answered by jessica aka skitzo 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's ok if the person being euthanized wants to die and is in a rational frame of mind to make that choice... or in the case of unruly pets.
2007-12-05 07:36:28 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋