Should euthanasia and physician assisted suicide be legal?

[Ebowed]

Physician assisted suicide (which is currently legal in Oregon) is where a patient is given a lethal prescription medication upon request.  The doctor cannot directly help the patient take the medication in any way.

Euthanasia can refer to either to the act of suicide where the doctor directly aids in the request (i.e., by putting a bag over the patient's head), or to the removal of life support to patients who are in a persistent vegetative state.  For the purposes of this poll, it will refer to the latter.

[Dr. Cynic]

I used this in my ninth grade public speaking class as our persuasive speech... Of course, to rave reviews, it was truly my best speech.

I believe strongly in the individual's right to commit suicide. I'm a much stronger believer in allowing someone with terminal illness to be granted the option of a dignified and less painful death, rather than endure incurable diseases which will ultimately kill them.

[Rob]

Yes/Yes.

[Sam Spade]

Reminds me of the time (about 10 years), they had to take my grandfather to the emergency room for pneumonia (he had emphysema).  When his condition stabilized and he was being put in a regular hospital room, he asked who his doctor was.  The nurse told him, "Dr. Kevorkian".  My grandfather nearly had a heart attack.  Of course, "Dr. Kevorkian" was an excellent respiratory doctor, just needed a name change.

Anyway, I vote no/no.  However, certain people on this forum are prime candidates for assisted suicide in my book if they were to choose so.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

No/No

[Bono]

Yes/No

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Voted No/No. Might be open to changing to Yes/No.

[??????????]

No/No

[AkSaber]

Yes/No

[David S]

I voted no/yes. Euthanisia would also be OK as long as the patient had indicated that he would want that prior to the persistent vegetative state. In other words I think the patient's wishes should be honored.

[Aizen]

Yes/Yes

[The Dowager Mod]

Yes/Yes

[Speed of Sound]

Yes/Yes

[Dr. Cynic]

I voted no/yes. Euthanisia would also be OK as long as the patient had indicated that he would want that prior to the persistent vegetative state. In other words I think the patient's wishes should be honored.

Usually the patient signs a document saying not to revive them if they know they're dying, etc... In surprise cases of brain death, I believe it should be left up to the next of kin, as is the current law. If someone ain't coming back, there's no reason to hurt you or them any longer.

There's an old saying "When you die, the only ones that hurt are those left behind". If you're brain dead, how does it hurt you when someone pulls your plug?

[SPC]

Yes/Yes