Physician-Aided Suicide: Your Opinion?

[tru_vampire0]

"Should physician-aided suicide be legal?"

 

 

 

This is the topic that was given to me for a research paper (following by in-class debates) in my Sophomore English Class. We were given our topics today, and my teacher asked us to sort of ask around with people we know or groups of people or friends about how they feel about the subject before we do any actual research.

 

 

 

Now in case, anyone isn't exactly sure what this term, physician-aided suicide, means:

 

 

 

When someones decides that they want to die, and go about it in a peaceful & painless way so they go to their doctor and have the doctor basically do the (for lack of a better word off of the top of my head)killing for the victim. This procedure is in many cases considered much more humane and much less sacreligious than going off and hanging yourself, shooting yourself, setting fire to your body, etc...

 

 

 

This becomes a resort most often when someone learns that they are terminally ill such as: You are diagnosed with Cancer and doctors say there is no way you are going to live any more than another 12 months and it will be painful suffering the whole way through.

 

 

 

So again, I'll restate my question and hopefully you all can give me your opinions of Yes or No and then hopefully some well drawn-out explanations of why you feel this way towards the subject. Do you think people should have this option? Would it cause too many bad situation with doctors who do offer it? Should the victim's family's have a say? You tell me.

 

 

 

Should physician-aided suicide be legal?

 

 

 

~ Tru_Vampire0~

[Nadril]

I do agree that it should be legal but it should also be highly supervised/documented/ect.

 

 

 

The reason being is that we do not want a doctor killing a paitent and simply saying oh... they said they wanted to die.

 

 

 

 

 

It is a really touchy subject however and I really can't put my self in that place.

[Bubsa]

On one side, I find it sometimes cruel that people are made to suffer through great pain just to reach a 'natural' death. On the other, I wouldn't want life to end abruptly, as everyday can be cherished with someone you love and those days could make memories never to be forgotten for the people you know.

 

 

 

I'm very much torn on this issue. Where's that comfy fence?

[Viktorkrum77]

I agree it should be legal, but said person must have a will written, and all the legal business out of the way before taking on such a task. To loosen the burden on their relatives and family later.

[Nadril]

On one side, I find it sometimes cruel that people are made to suffer through great pain just to reach a 'natural' death. On the other, I wouldn't want life to end abruptly, as everyday can be cherished with someone you love and those days could make memories never to be forgotten for the people you know.

 

 

 

I'm very much torn on this issue. Where's that comfy fence?

 

 

 

I'm fairly torn as well. Like I said I do think that it is up to the person. However its such a thin line.

 

 

 

I mean, what if someone just wanted to die and wasn't serroiusly ill? Like, they were just depressed. Where do you cross the line at?

 

 

 

Part of me doesn't want to make it legal because, lets be honest here, what kind of doctor wants to go through that? Haven't to take someones life away on purpose -- I wouldn't want anyone to have to go through that.

 

 

 

 

 

So yeah i'm kinda looking for that fence too. :-$

[Viktorkrum77]

I mean, what if someone just wanted to die and wasn't serroiusly ill? Like, they were just depressed. Where do you cross the line at?

 

 

 

Like the child soldiers in Africa, or like executioners, they just learn to no longer to care. I would bet that sort of job would pay very high, and people will do crazy things for money, including ridding of their emotions.

[warri0r45]

I'd tend to say yes, but only if it's highly regulated and for serious patients only.

 

 

 

I've heard some stories of people with a horrid existance. Wouldn't wish such a thing on Hitler (well, maybe :P ). Poor buggers. Makes me feel lucky I'm alive and healthy.

[Korskin]

Physician-Aided Suicide shouldn't be legal. You should never encourage suicide nor help someone die. If a person wants to commit suicide you should try to stop rather than try to help the person.

[warri0r45]

Physician-Aided Suicide shouldn't be legal. You should never encourage suicide nor help someone die. If a person wants to commit suicide you should try to stop rather than try to help the person.

 

 

 

But would you agree that some people have really miserably horrid existances? It's pretty sickening some of the situations people end up in be they genetic or not.

[tru_vampire0]

how 'bout euthanasia or mercy killing? what's your guys' position on that?

 

I read an article a few years ago about a 12-year old girl who was charged with murdering her father but she says that he asked her to do it because i geuss he was parapalegic(sp?) and wanted to die.

 

 

 

Again, ya i know this is all a very touchy subject.

 

 

 

Ya know it's hard to say. If abortion (another extremely controversial subject) is legal in the United States then why is it illegal to have someone put you out of your own misery? The same sort of thing goes for the death penalty. There are still some states in America that have capital punishment or execution. Why is death administered by the government limited only to criminals?

 

 

 

~just addin' some more kindling to the fire. I Love you this topic has taken off so quickly. More, More, More!~

[Viktorkrum77]

I also stand for the elimination of all brain dead people and vegetables. They are wasting a lot of money. Just let them go to a better place already, rather then keeping them here on earth in a horrible condition.

[Korskin]

Physician-Aided Suicide shouldn't be legal. You should never encourage suicide nor help someone die. If a person wants to commit suicide you should try to stop rather than try to help the person.

 

 

 

But would you agree that some people have really miserably horrid existances? It's pretty sickening some of the situations people end up in be they genetic or not.

 

Still I don't think death would be a better alternative.

[Viktorkrum77]

Physician-Aided Suicide shouldn't be legal. You should never encourage suicide nor help someone die. If a person wants to commit suicide you should try to stop rather than try to help the person.

 

 

 

But would you agree that some people have really miserably horrid existances? It's pretty sickening some of the situations people end up in be they genetic or not.

 

Still I don't think death would be a better alternative.

 

 

 

Why? Our population is already reaching such a high that soon we will run out of resources. Except in Europe, where the population is dropping. :shock: What's one death? 40,000 people die each day in Africa, mostly children.

[Korskin]

Why? Are population is already reaching such a high that soon we will run out of resources. Except in Europe, where the population is dropping. :shock: What's one death? 40,000 people die each day in Africa, mostly children.

 

So we should make it easier for people to commit suicide in order to decrease our population?

[Viktorkrum77]

Why? Are population is already reaching such a high that soon we will run out of resources. Except in Europe, where the population is dropping. :shock: What's one death? 40,000 people die each day in Africa, mostly children.

 

So we should make it easier for people to commit suicide in order to decrease our population?

 

 

 

My point is, there's no point in keeping people who don't want to live, and are serious about it. It's not like we live in a "survival of the fittest" world anymore.

[Korskin]

Why? Are population is already reaching such a high that soon we will run out of resources. Except in Europe, where the population is dropping. :shock: What's one death? 40,000 people die each day in Africa, mostly children.

 

So we should make it easier for people to commit suicide in order to decrease our population?

 

 

 

My point is, there's no point in keeping people who don't want to live, and are serious about it. It's not like we live in a "survival of the fittest" world anymore.

 

I value everyone's life the same, so everyone's life is worth keeping. However, the question is whether we should help them die or not.

[forsaken]

Physician-Aided Suicide shouldn't be legal. You should never encourage suicide nor help someone die. If a person wants to commit suicide you should try to stop rather than try to help the person.

 

 

 

But would you agree that some people have really miserably horrid existances? It's pretty sickening some of the situations people end up in be they genetic or not.

 

Still I don't think death would be a better alternative.

 

 

 

There are people out there with conditions or afflictions so serious that every conscious moment is one that is rife with pain. Consider the fact that said condition is to haunt them till the day they die. Consider that they have to reside in a bed at all times, being able to do nothing, other then lie there.

 

 

 

You would condemn them to living, when you have no idea how they feel, and no justification other then the fact that "You don't think death would be a better alternative?".

 

 

 

In terms of very serious cases, I would grant people the right to make such a hefty decision - provided a very meticulous and stringent protocol is put into place that prevents third-party interference in terms of persuading them to want to die.

 

 

 

When someone is suffering, and all that is ahead of them is suffering, to tell them "Sorry, killing yourself is a bad thing, just sit it out and reside in pain, mmkay? Trust me, death is a really really bad thing, I know heaps about it, so listen to what I say." That's what other people deciding that people can't die if they want to [in select circumstances] is tantamount to, for me at least.

[Korskin]

There are people out there with conditions or afflictions so serious that every conscious moment is one that is rife with pain. Consider the fact that said condition is to haunt them till the day they die. Consider that they have to reside in a bed at all times, being able to do nothing, other then lie there.

 

 

 

You would condemn them to living, when you have no idea how they feel, and no justification other then the fact that "You don't think death would be a better alternative?".

 

 

 

In terms of very serious cases, I would grant people the right to make such a hefty decision - provided a very meticulous and stringent protocol is put into place that prevents third-party interference in terms of persuading them to want to die.

 

 

 

When someone is suffering, and all that is ahead of them is suffering, to tell them "Sorry, killing yourself is a bad thing, just sit it out and reside in pain, mmkay? Trust me, death is a really really bad thing, I know heaps about it, so listen to what I say." That's what other people deciding that people can't die if they want to [in select circumstances] is tantamount to, for me at least.

 

I believe people shouldn't base there will to live on their physical condition.

[forsaken]

There are people out there with conditions or afflictions so serious that every conscious moment is one that is rife with pain. Consider the fact that said condition is to haunt them till the day they die. Consider that they have to reside in a bed at all times, being able to do nothing, other then lie there.

 

 

 

You would condemn them to living, when you have no idea how they feel, and no justification other then the fact that "You don't think death would be a better alternative?".

 

 

 

In terms of very serious cases, I would grant people the right to make such a hefty decision - provided a very meticulous and stringent protocol is put into place that prevents third-party interference in terms of persuading them to want to die.

 

 

 

When someone is suffering, and all that is ahead of them is suffering, to tell them "Sorry, killing yourself is a bad thing, just sit it out and reside in pain, mmkay? Trust me, death is a really really bad thing, I know heaps about it, so listen to what I say." That's what other people deciding that people can't die if they want to [in select circumstances] is tantamount to, for me at least.

 

I believe people shouldn't base there will to live on their physical condition.

 

 

 

I would prefer you expound on your argument, rather then living it at one-liners.

 

 

 

In essence, from what little you gave me, you think it's a-okay for someone to live [at the hypothetical peak] in abject pain for their whole lives, merely because you think so?

 

 

 

I'll be slightly sardonic and pull the other meaning of the word "live". In modern context, the main perception of "living" entails doing things, activities, anything. Enjoying oneself comes to mind.

 

 

 

... Continual pain? =/= Joy.

 

 

 

If you ever break a bone, or dislocate a shoulder, or procure some sort of painful wound, how about you try absconding from pain killers? Or if you have a heart attack - don't get medical help, just let it kill you.

 

 

 

You know why?

 

 

 

Because "you don't believe you should base your will to live on your physical condition."

[warri0r45]

There are people out there with conditions or afflictions so serious that every conscious moment is one that is rife with pain. Consider the fact that said condition is to haunt them till the day they die. Consider that they have to reside in a bed at all times, being able to do nothing, other then lie there.

 

 

 

You would condemn them to living, when you have no idea how they feel, and no justification other then the fact that "You don't think death would be a better alternative?".

 

 

 

In terms of very serious cases, I would grant people the right to make such a hefty decision - provided a very meticulous and stringent protocol is put into place that prevents third-party interference in terms of persuading them to want to die.

 

 

 

When someone is suffering, and all that is ahead of them is suffering, to tell them "Sorry, killing yourself is a bad thing, just sit it out and reside in pain, mmkay? Trust me, death is a really really bad thing, I know heaps about it, so listen to what I say." That's what other people deciding that people can't die if they want to [in select circumstances] is tantamount to, for me at least.

 

I believe people shouldn't base there will to live on their physical condition.

 

 

 

I find that mildly sadistic. The fact that you would value life if it's only purpose was to provide it's host with endless suffering. I'm assuming you're morals are absolute. I just tend not to agree with them. It's no big deal for you or me, but some people... I don't even wan't to being to think about it.

[mad4u689]

I think life is... the most important thing. And so legislation about the taking of life is tricky. However, ultimately I think the burden lies with the individual - if someone wants to die, they should be able to die. If someone doesn't want to die, their life shouldn't be taken from them prematurely. Life is so precious - and that's why only the individual whose life is in question has the right to decide.

 

 

 

For this reason, I am extremely against the death penalty, extremely in support of doctor-assisted suicide, and against abortion (except in case of danger to the life of the mother).

[Korskin]

 

I would prefer you expound on your argument, rather then living it at one-liners.

 

 

 

In essence, from what little you gave me, you think it's a-okay for someone to live [at the hypothetical peak] in abject pain for their whole lives, merely because you think so?

 

 

 

I'll be slightly sardonic and pull the other meaning of the word "live". In modern context, the main perception of "living" entails doing things, activities, anything. Enjoying oneself comes to mind.

 

 

 

... Continual pain? =/= Joy.

 

 

 

If you ever break a bone, or dislocate a shoulder, or procure some sort of painful wound, how about you try absconding from pain killers? Or if you have a heart attack - don't get medical help, just let it kill you.

 

 

 

You know why?

 

 

 

Because "you don't believe you should base your will to live on your physical condition."

 

Sorry about the short answers. My beliefs include God and he's the one who gave us our lives.

 

 

 

If I break a bone I get medical help in order to live not to die. There's nothing wrong with reducing pain, I'm not a sadist. However, the purpose of living is not freedom of pain.

 

 

 

I read about an old lady, nearly deaf, blind, alone, stuck in a bed, half her face was corroded by cancer, she was disgusting to look at. She had constant pain in her head, stomache and back. This sounds like a perfect person to help commit suicide. But this lady, eighty-nine years old, was happy with her life. How could that be? Well, she didn't base her happiness on her physical condition. She based it on Jesus, and his love for her. She kept going on about how good God had been to her. This is hard to believe even for a christian like myself.

 

 

 

Sure, you can say, we're talking about people who want to kill themselves not those who are happy with their lives. But I'm saying this to argue that you shouldn't base your will to live on your physical condition. Hopefully I've expounded enough.

 

 

 

On a sidenote, I'm going to bed now so don't expect any replies for a while.

[forsaken]

 

I would prefer you expound on your argument, rather then living it at one-liners.

 

 

 

In essence, from what little you gave me, you think it's a-okay for someone to live [at the hypothetical peak] in abject pain for their whole lives, merely because you think so?

 

 

 

I'll be slightly sardonic and pull the other meaning of the word "live". In modern context, the main perception of "living" entails doing things, activities, anything. Enjoying oneself comes to mind.

 

 

 

... Continual pain? =/= Joy.

 

 

 

If you ever break a bone, or dislocate a shoulder, or procure some sort of painful wound, how about you try absconding from pain killers? Or if you have a heart attack - don't get medical help, just let it kill you.

 

 

 

You know why?

 

 

 

Because "you don't believe you should base your will to live on your physical condition."

 

Sorry about the short answers. My beliefs include God and he's the one who gave us our lives.

 

 

 

If I break a bone I get medical help in order to live not to die. There's nothing wrong with reducing pain, I'm not a sadist. However, the purpose of living is not freedom of pain.

 

 

 

I read about an old lady, nearly deaf, blind, alone, stuck in a bed, half her face was corroded by cancer, she was disgusting to look at. She had constant pain in her head, stomache and back. This sounds like a perfect person to help commit suicide. But this lady, eighty-nine years old, was happy with her life. How could that be? Well, she didn't base her happiness on her physical condition. She based it on Jesus, and his love for her. She kept going on about how good God had been to her. This is hard to believe even for a christian like myself.

 

 

 

Sure, you can say, we're talking about people who want to kill themselves not those who are happy with their lives. But I'm saying this to argue that you shouldn't base your will to live on your physical condition. Hopefully I've expounded enough.

 

 

 

On a sidenote, I'm going to bed now so don't expect any replies for a while.

 

 

 

The key difference, however, is that SHE made the choice, herself. So long as the party in question is happy with their position and have made the choice themselves, then I have no problems with them.

 

 

 

Conversely, if someone were to be suffering - who did not believe in God - and thus had no such assurance, I would think restricting their choice due to someone else's personal preferences and beliefs would violate the person's fundamental right to free choice.

 

 

 

I guess the key disparity here is one of faith, which I guess means a lot of circular argument and no real ground gained on either side. So I'll just leave it at this.

[knives669]

Well, if that's what someone wants to do... and there's a therapist/doctor/person out there who thinks they can do it and still be able to sleep at night, then more power to them. I know I couldn't do it though.

[lawrencekill]

 

I would prefer you expound on your argument, rather then living it at one-liners.

 

 

 

In essence, from what little you gave me, you think it's a-okay for someone to live [at the hypothetical peak] in abject pain for their whole lives, merely because you think so?

 

 

 

I'll be slightly sardonic and pull the other meaning of the word "live". In modern context, the main perception of "living" entails doing things, activities, anything. Enjoying oneself comes to mind.

 

 

 

... Continual pain? =/= Joy.

 

 

 

If you ever break a bone, or dislocate a shoulder, or procure some sort of painful wound, how about you try absconding from pain killers? Or if you have a heart attack - don't get medical help, just let it kill you.

 

 

 

You know why?

 

 

 

Because "you don't believe you should base your will to live on your physical condition."

 

Sorry about the short answers. My beliefs include God and he's the one who gave us our lives.

 

 

 

If I break a bone I get medical help in order to live not to die. There's nothing wrong with reducing pain, I'm not a sadist. However, the purpose of living is not freedom of pain.

 

 

 

I read about an old lady, nearly deaf, blind, alone, stuck in a bed, half her face was corroded by cancer, she was disgusting to look at. She had constant pain in her head, stomache and back. This sounds like a perfect person to help commit suicide. But this lady, eighty-nine years old, was happy with her life. How could that be? Well, she didn't base her happiness on her physical condition. She based it on Jesus, and his love for her. She kept going on about how good God had been to her. This is hard to believe even for a christian like myself.

 

 

 

Sure, you can say, we're talking about people who want to kill themselves not those who are happy with their lives. But I'm saying this to argue that you shouldn't base your will to live on your physical condition. Hopefully I've expounded enough.

 

 

 

On a sidenote, I'm going to bed now so don't expect any replies for a while.

 

 

 

Let's take religion out of the equation.

 

 

 

We, the majority of people, are oblivious to the extreme pain some people suffer for every second of their remaining lives.

 

 

 

Imagine having intensive surgery without anesthetics. It may not usually be as bad as that but I'm sure you get the picture.

 

 

 

If the person is wholly conscience of making a good decision about their life, I think they should have the right to follow that decision(you know what I mean).