Euthanasia Right or Wrong?

[Kenshinjapan]

I think it should only be allowed when the person is terminally ill. If suicide is allowed in any situation in life, people will be more willing to kill themselves when they are in debt/struggling in real life.

 

 

 

People should cherish their life more when they're not sick, but I find it okay when they're going to be in pain before they die.

[Giordano]

I'm totally for this. I'm pretty sure for a fact, I'm going to get Alzheimer's when I'm older. And by then I might actually forgotten how to fire a gun or do something to myself someone else has to do it.

 

My grandfather had Alzheimers, and when it got to the worse stage he was in a bed, wearing a diaper, and my grandmother feeding him, bathing him, and changing his diaper. I don't want to do that to anyone else so I want to end it. I've lived my life already and I don't want my family and friends worrying about me.

[BlueLancer]

I've lived my life already and I don't want my family and friends worrying about me.

 

 

 

It's extremely rare to meet a person with a view like this, but I actually agree myself. If I ever turn into a 'vegetable' like that and get alzheimers+my life consists of no conscience, lying in a bed in your own feces, being fed through tubes... I'd rather just end my life. Not because I'd be suicidal or hate myself/my life, but to be less of a burden to the people dear to me.

 

 

 

I don't know anyone in my family who wouldn't support euthanasia if one of us were to be in excruciating, chronic pain after an accident/etc., I love my parents with all my heart but if my mother/father were immobilized, in pain, couldn't see or hear almost anything, no taste/touch senses, why wouldn't I listen to their wish if they wanted to be put out of misery?

 

 

 

I'd just appreciate it, if someone did it for me in that situation. It'd mean the person cared about you, not by forcefully extending your irreversible pain, but by relieving you of it.

[warri0r45]

I think it should only be allowed when the person is terminally ill. If suicide is allowed in any situation in life, people will be more willing to kill themselves when they are in debt/struggling in real life.

 

 

 

People should cherish their life more when they're not sick, but I find it okay when they're going to be in pain before they die.

 

 

 

I don't at all support suicide when it's merely a case of bad debt, etc, but what's stopping people now? The law? There is no recourse for their actions if they kill themselves now, so I hardly see how suicide rates would rise if it were legal.

[Bauke]

I think it should only be allowed when the person is terminally ill. If suicide is allowed in any situation in life, people will be more willing to kill themselves when they are in debt/struggling in real life.

 

 

 

People should cherish their life more when they're not sick, but I find it okay when they're going to be in pain before they die.

 

Ok, so YOU find it ok that THEY are in pain before they die? That's just plain cruel.

[warri0r45]

I think it should only be allowed when the person is terminally ill. If suicide is allowed in any situation in life, people will be more willing to kill themselves when they are in debt/struggling in real life.

 

 

 

People should cherish their life more when they're not sick, but I find it okay when they're going to be in pain before they die.

 

Ok, so YOU find it ok that THEY are in pain before they die? That's just plain cruel.

 

 

 

He finds euthanasia ok when they're going to be in pain before they die.

[Cyco_Reborn]

I don't see what's wrong with Euthanasia. It's a painless way out of a life of suffering, what's not to like?

[Intriguing]

I'm pretty much of the attitude "if they want to die, let them".

 

 

 

In Australia, euthanasia is illegal. If a patient has gotten to the stage where they no longer live and have given up doctors don't speed up their death in a strict sense. They stop whatever treatment was keeping them alive and make the death as comfortable as possible. I'm under the assumption that this is the practice in other nations where euthanasia is illegal.

 

 

 

Problem with this is they can't always make the death comfortable. Another problem is that keeping them alive when they don't want to be alive wastes* space in hospitals. While it's not so much of a problem in private hospitals, it can often be an issue in public hospitals. In addition, keeping them alive often waste* funds that could be better placed in other areas.

 

 

 

As long as the person in question is in a good enough state of mind to make a "life-changing" decision, and as long as the person performing the euthanasia has no moral issues with it, I see no problem. However, who would decide whether the person was in a good enough state of mind to make the decision is another matter.

 

 

 

*I'm cautious about using the word "waste" in topics relation to the life of a human. However, I felt it was appropriate in this case. Don't take my use of it the wrong way.

[whiteguy]

If someone needs machines or constant money and there is no chance for him to recover, then why not? It's only wasting* space and money on public hospitals.

 

It's pretty obvious really, whatever kind of "life" that person is living is not far away from death. If i ever end up in vegetative state, i don't want to be a burden to my family, i have actually told my family about that, and they agreed, also i made a letter incase i am in that situation. If there is a God, i'm sure he will understand.

 

 

 

I'm sorry if what i said offend you in any way, those are my thoughs (sp?)

 

 

 

 

 

*same thing as Intriguing for the waste word.

[Kenshinjapan]

I think it should only be allowed when the person is terminally ill. If suicide is allowed in any situation in life, people will be more willing to kill themselves when they are in debt/struggling in real life.

 

 

 

People should cherish their life more when they're not sick, but I find it okay when they're going to be in pain before they die.

 

Ok, so YOU find it ok that THEY are in pain before they die? That's just plain cruel.

 

 

 

He finds euthanasia ok when they're going to be in pain before they die.

 

 

 

Exactly, I just don't want to see suicide turn into more of an "easy way out" than it already is.

[Ouchy]

Personally, I think that it should be legal if the person has a decent reason why they want to end there life (Medical illness, etc.). If they wanted to just end there life because they were dumped, or something similar, however, then they shouldn't be able to end there life via euthanasia.

[Cup Lion]

Personally, I think that it should be legal if the person has a decent reason why they want to end there life (Medical illness, etc.). If they wanted to just end there life because they were dumped, or something similar, however, then they shouldn't be able to end there life via euthanasia.

 

One would have to define "a decent reason" and which medical illnesses it should apply to. Medical illnesses do include mental illnesses. And what's to keep a person from harming themselves over a break-up, and then asking to be euthanized because they have serious medical issues.

 

 

 

EDIT: Where I live, there is a bill called Initiative 1000, which deals with what I like to call assisted suicide. It is similar to euthanasia. It could be tied in with this discussion as well.

 

 

 

This measure would permit terminally ill, competent, adult Washington residents medically predicted to die within six months to request and self-administer lethal medication prescribed by a physician.

[Ouchy]

Personally, I think that it should be legal if the person has a decent reason why they want to end there life (Medical illness, etc.). If they wanted to just end there life because they were dumped, or something similar, however, then they shouldn't be able to end there life via euthanasia.

 

One would have to define "a decent reason" and which medical illnesses it should apply to. Medical illnesses do include mental illnesses.

 

 

 

 

A decent reason would be Alzheimer, paralysis, loss of senses, cancer, Parkinson disease, etc. Something where living would be painful.

 

 

 

And what's to keep a person from harming themselves over a break-up, and then asking to be euthanized because they have serious medical issues.

 

 

 

Eh, I can't make that decision, as I am not the government/Health System. I suppose that common sense would be the only factor to stop them, which doesn't seem to exist so much now'a'days :| .

[PoorLepRecon]

This has been a good discussion so far. Took me a good 15-20 minutes to read through all of this and digest it.

 

 

 

In my opinion, Euthanasia is up to the person. Nobody should be able to tell a person that they cannot die. If someone has been, is, or will be suffering, they should have the right to end their life if they see fit. A person should not be forced to live a life that they will not enjoy, one that they would have to suffer through until the end. That in itself is worse than the actual act of ending one persons life through intentional means.

[Lordtunkuta]

No one has the right to keep a person alive when they want to end it. It is after all, their life

[Sumpta]

I'm from Belgium, where euthanasia is allowed, and I am completely pro. When life has gotten to the point that it is unbearable to you, you must be allowed to end it.

 

 

 

Recently, a famous Belgian writer was euthanised by his own choice. It was rather controversial. He was developing Alzheimer and decided to end his life, while he was still conscious enough to make the choice. I could not support his choice more; no rational creature deems a life without reason worth living. But since he didn't have full-blown Alzheimer yet, he was criticised. The church chose to call the man a coward, because according to them, a human being gains by suffering... people give up too easily. I wonder what gain there can be in spending the last few years of your life in agony...

[Cup Lion]

No one has the right to keep a person alive when they want to end it. It is after all, their life

 

If you believe in God:

 

 

 

No one has a right to take on the role of God and choose to kill themselves. Life and death is determined by God, not by man. But I guess one could make the point that we don't have a right to prolong life then via medical technologies.

 

 

 

I wonder what gain there can be in spending the last few years of your life in agony...

 

There are certain aspects that you can consider advantageous to your family, such as extra years to spend with them. Everyone likes that. Also, though in pain, it could give a person time to think about their life and what they have done with it, and maybe get a few things done relationship-wise with a few people.

 

 

 

Gosh I sound like the devil's advocate.

[Ginger_Warrior]

I wonder what gain there can be in spending the last few years of your life in agony...

 

There are certain aspects that you can consider advantageous to your family, such as extra years to spend with them. Everyone likes that. Also, though in pain, it could give a person time to think about their life and what they have done with it, and maybe get a few things done relationship-wise with a few people.

 

See, it's this attitude towards life that annoys me. That you should stay alive because friends and family want to be close to you.

 

 

 

If one of my closest friends or a member of my family was finding life so unbearable, and they'd tried everything to feel better, I wouldn't want them to stay alive just because they think I'd miss them. To me, that just seems incredibly selfish. If I was half the friend I claim to be, I'd respect that it's nothing personal and they'll be happier in death than in life, so it's the right thing for them.

 

 

 

Asking someone to stay around just because you'll personally miss seems natural but also very self-centered.

[warri0r45]

I wonder what gain there can be in spending the last few years of your life in agony...

 

There are certain aspects that you can consider advantageous to your family, such as extra years to spend with them. Everyone likes that. Also, though in pain, it could give a person time to think about their life and what they have done with it, and maybe get a few things done relationship-wise with a few people.

 

See, it's this attitude towards life that annoys me. That you should stay alive because friends and family want to be close to you.

 

 

 

If one of my closest friends or a member of my family was finding life so unbearable, and they'd tried everything to feel better, I wouldn't want them to stay alive just because they think I'd miss them. To me, that just seems incredibly selfish. If I was half the friend I claim to be, I'd respect that it's nothing personal and they'll be happier in death than in life, so it's the right thing for them.

 

 

 

Asking someone to stay around just because you'll personally miss seems natural but also very self-centered.

 

 

 

I'd take pretty much the exact same approach. Their life isn't mine - it's entirely up to them whether they feel they can go on in that situation.

[Intriguing]

See, it's this attitude towards life that annoys me. That you should stay alive because friends and family want to be close to you.

 

 

 

If one of my closest friends or a member of my family was finding life so unbearable, and they'd tried everything to feel better, I wouldn't want them to stay alive just because they think I'd miss them. To me, that just seems incredibly selfish. If I was half the friend I claim to be, I'd respect that it's nothing personal and they'll be happier in death than in life, so it's the right thing for them.

 

 

 

Asking someone to stay around just because you'll personally miss seems natural but also very self-centered.

 

Although I agree, that sort of falls to pieces when it comes to, say, a mother or father killing themselves when their children are still minors. But I guess we're talking about euthanasia as opposed to suicide in general.

[warren211]

Normal suicide is stupidity and selfishness to the highest degree (unless you have a mental illness beyond your control). Anyone who kills themself because of financial or family problems clearly hasn't thought everything through. Their family will not be "oh alright, I'll understand" when they have to wipe your blood from the carpet or take down your body from the rope tied to the ceiling.

 

 

 

Euthanasia is way different. When it's for a good reason like a terminal illness, then it seems to be fine to me. A human should always have the choice to rely on machines to stay alive or die peacefully. But when they actually kill themselves (Kevorkian style, or just suicide) when it's not necessary, then there's a problem. I don't know what to make of Alzhiemer's and whether it's good to use euthanasia or not. I haven't experienced it, no one I know experienced it (God forbid) so it would be unfair for me to flat out say "you should suffer; it's good for the soul".

[Bloodstain]

No one has the right to keep a person alive when they want to end it. It is after all, their life

 

If you believe in God:

 

 

 

No one has a right to take on the role of God and choose to kill themselves. Life and death is determined by God, not by man. But I guess one could make the point that we don't have a right to prolong life then via medical technologies.

 

 

 

I wonder what gain there can be in spending the last few years of your life in agony...

 

There are certain aspects that you can consider advantageous to your family, such as extra years to spend with them. Everyone likes that. Also, though in pain, it could give a person time to think about their life and what they have done with it, and maybe get a few things done relationship-wise with a few people.

 

 

 

Gosh I sound like the devil's advocate.

 

 

 

I doubt some super religious person is going to contemplate euthanasia, also I think it is stupid how religion is always brought into this argument

 

 

 

Oh, and for the second part, my uncle got cancer and for the last few months all he could do was lay in bed and puke all day waiting for his death. Not saying that he wanted or tried to get euthanized (I have no idea either way), but there was nothing he could have done relationship wise either. We visited him and all he could do was come out for about 2 minutes and then go back to bed, he was also really drugged up the entire time too, so I doubt he did much thinking. If someone wants to end their life because they are in tremendous pain that we haven't experienced and probably can't even fathom, and can barely do anything, then let them make the decision to get euthanized.

 

 

 

A better question in my opinion is this: Now that we have the technology to, is it really that ethical to keep people alive when they are terminally ill, against their will?

[BlueLancer]

No one has the right to keep a person alive when they want to end it. It is after all, their life

 

If you believe in God:

 

 

 

No one has a right to take on the role of God and choose to kill themselves. Life and death is determined by God, not by man. But I guess one could make the point that we don't have a right to prolong life then via medical technologies.

 

 

 

 

I don't see how religion comes into it, not only are there countless religions, I can't recall any scriptures or books which specificly prohibit aiding a person who genuinely wishes to die (such as being 80 years old, excruciating pains, lying in his own feces all day, no vision and weak hearing, unable to walk).

 

 

 

To me it would seem cruel as hell to keep a person living a half-life such as that. If my situation ever got that bad, I'd definitely ask to be euthanized. Not only does it save society's/the hospitals resources for people who can actually live a real life, my relatives wouldn't have to worry anymore, I'd be relieved of pain, everyone wins.

[ThurinEthir]

From the cancer thread:

 

It's just as bad seeing a nearly-dead person as it is seeing a dead person.

 

I think I'll change that to "It's worse seeing a nearly dead person in pain and agony (and you know they're going to die) than it is seeing a dead person."

 

There should be restrictions and requirements, so people don't abuse it, but it should be an option that's available.

[Cup Lion]

I wonder what gain there can be in spending the last few years of your life in agony...

 

There are certain aspects that you can consider advantageous to your family, such as extra years to spend with them. Everyone likes that. Also, though in pain, it could give a person time to think about their life and what they have done with it, and maybe get a few things done relationship-wise with a few people.

 

See, it's this attitude towards life that annoys me. That you should stay alive because friends and family want to be close to you.

 

 

 

If one of my closest friends or a member of my family was finding life so unbearable, and they'd tried everything to feel better, I wouldn't want them to stay alive just because they think I'd miss them. To me, that just seems incredibly selfish. If I was half the friend I claim to be, I'd respect that it's nothing personal and they'll be happier in death than in life, so it's the right thing for them.

 

 

 

Asking someone to stay around just because you'll personally miss seems natural but also very self-centered.

 

I didn't mean a family prolonging a person's death in order to spend time with them. I was referring to an instance in which the suffering person wants to spend a bit more time around their family. Its two opposite things.

 

 

 

It's a shame I annoy you.

 

 

 

I don't see how religion comes into it...

 

The Catholic religion (one of many religions) comes into play in the sense that it teaches life and death is determined by God, not by man, as I stated in my post, which you quoted. That is how religion comes into it. I don't think I can be clearer.

 

 

 

I think it is stupid how religion is always brought into this argument

 

People's values are affected by religion, or lack thereof. Thus, most discussions have the possibility of involving religion, or lack thereof. A big part of Euthanasia is whether or not it is morally right or wrong. According to the Catholic church, morals come from God. What I am trying to say is, almost everything is linked to religion, and most things are important issues because certain religions teach differently about the topic. I don't see how it is stupid that religion gets involved when its inevitable and happens all the time.