Do you Support Legalizing Euthanasia?

Question

Haha Judy B -- I just laughed out loud. What would we do without your humor?

Answer 1

Tough question. Too many variables. I always remember the Terry Schiavo incident. Her husband had too many rights over his in-laws. He had his chance to walk away from the incident and let Terry's parents take over and decide.
Your question in some ways begs the question, should legislation be introduced, that anyone over certain age must have a living will filled out and be part of their medical records. Should it be mandatory. But then again it now goes back to your other question, should government be downsized. My wife and I have started working on our living will. We don't want to do anything rash, especially if life insurance companies are involved. So we have worked on ours slowly. Currently she has on file with her doctors that I have all decision making rights over her. I love her and I will hang on to her forever if I could. But her wishes will prevail.
Euthanasia is a taboo word for me. Sorry.

Answer 2

Other than those who are against it for purely religious reasons, I think there is more support for euthanasia than you might think. Back before the government started getting involved, it wasn't at all unusual for doctors to help their terminal patients pass on when nothing else could be done for them. But the fear of suits and worse has forced them to back off. Another reason why some people are against euthanasia is out of fear that it diminishes the value of human life. While I disagree with that opinion, I do understand it. There is so much potential for abuse that it would require some very strict guidelines in order for me to be comfortable with it in today's world. Otherwise in our current bureaucratic health care system, it could be too easy to NOT act in the patient's best interest, but rather in the self-serving interest of a greedy relative, a greedy health care service provider, an uncaring hospital bureaucrat, or an unprofessional doctor. I would want there be at least 5 aspects to euthanasia guidelines: 1. A signed and witnessed living will. 2. If indicated, a mental health evaluation to rule out severe depression. 3. The requirement that ALL end-of-life options have been explained to the patient, i.e., pain control, hospice, etc. 4. The patient must be declared as being within a few months of death at the most (say 6, but that's open for discussion). 5. That a "team" of health care professionals in conjunction with the family make the final determination.

Answer 3

"Legalizing" is a heavy word. Basically, if this could be accomplished by non-governmental lawyers - then yes But once again - I do not want the Govt. meddling in my life. I have already put together a Living Will and it states that I am NOT to be put on ANY KIND of life support and if Euthanasia is available when I am dying - then it is to be used. However, I doubt that the falsely puratanical ethics of todays medical professionals would permit this! CJ

Answer 4

To me if everyone in the world were 100% honest then this would be a grand idea. I just dont want some unscrupulous person or family member finding an unscrupulous doctor and ending my life,, just because. I think there are too many thin lines about this to say yes. What seems like mercy to some might look like murder to another.

I prefer to die without any help. I will have a livign willin place for the " what if."

Answer 5

Euthanasia is a slippery slope at best. IF there are very strict rules, guidelines, whatever then absolutely. I do think people have the right to say enough is enough.

Where it may go a bit too far (thinking in the future) is where if you recall in the old days anyone over 30 is useles? We are an exhuberant society tending to take things to an extreme sometimes, would have to be oh so careful.

Answer 6

Did you ever see the Star Trek episode where Roxanna Troy's mother fell in love with a man from a planet where all Seniors, once they passed their 65th birthday, would be "recycled for the good of their families left behind"? No matter how much good they were still contributing.

I think making this "into law" will only allow for the future abuse of such regualtions...and would you want to be a Senior with this sort of thing hanging over your head?

And yet, I can not abide seeing anyone who has an incurable disease die in agony, by inches. My Uncle's body was riddled with cancers...colon, lung, stomach, brain....he was literally being eaten alive by inches. The most they could do for him was to give him a self-administered morphine pump. And yet he was so strong and stubborn that he lived for months afterwards, and once his mind passed into that vegetative state he was returned to the hospital to die....so many patients who HAVE the ability to end it once those pumps are attached DON'T! And why is that? Because no matter how much it hurts, life is ALWAYS worth living as long as you are aware. Too bad we have no ability to end our lives once we are NOT aware anymore, huh?

Answer 7

My concern is that if this becomes the law of the land, what is the next step? If a person requests no resuscitation, then that should be honored. I think this would set a precedent for eliminating people because of mental defects, physical defects, etc. It might open the door to end lives for the wrong reasons.

Answer 8

Depends if it is the wish of the person to die with dignity, say in the case of an early Alzheimer's diagnosis, or a painful disease like pancreatic cancer and they have expressed this desire then yes. But do I think it should be up to the government or loved ones then no. Kevorkian had his purpose and I respected him for doing what he felt was right for his patients wishes, I don't want to suffer in death if I don't have to.

Answer 9

I do believe that an option should be available if there is not any brain activity, and no hope of recovery that people should be allowed to die. If people have illnesses like Lou Ge rigs disease and they cannot continue to live, they should have an option. If you have conducted your life, perhaps you can conduct your death. I personally do not want to be kept alive by machines since there would be no quality of life left for me

Interestingly enough, when I was in my senior year of high school our instructor asked us what we thought of euthenasia, I had not met any "youth in Asia" at that time, so I was clueless as to what he was talking about.

Answer 10

Depends on the situation. If the person is in a lot of pain and WILL die, then yes. If it's a case like Terry Schaivo (sp?), then yes to that too.

But if its a case where the person CAN still live, then nooo.