Assisted Suicide

[Talleyrand]

There are way too many potential ambiguous circumstances and moral issues behind this idea. I very strongly oppose it- I just see this as a form of euthanasia, and while some may say its different as a result of the consent factor, I don't see how its anything but murder.

Reading about cases where this "right" has been abused doesn't make me any keener on it.

[Franzl]

I think it should be legal.

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

When a patient is diagnosed with a terminal illness, presents with rapidly declining health, and is otherwise suffering from untreatable pain as a result of said illness, it should be absolutely legal to obtain as painless a suicide as possible. Why force a dying man who wants to die to live?

[Lief 🗽]

I support it in theory, but I don't know enough about how it works in practice to really give it my full support.

[Person Man]

What is it the Right to Life? Is it a right owned by a person or is it a duty solely owed by the  Government?

[Gamecock]

VERY STRONGLY support.

Forcing someone who wants to die to remain alive is one of the most morally abominable things I can think of.

What makes you think the choice will only be made by the patient?

[Dr. Cynic]

If I have a terminal illness and I want to die and spare my family the pain of watching me just slowly waste away until death, I feel that I have that right to end my life, preferably with an MD so as not to leave behind a big mess for my family to clean up. Anyone can do what they like, but I don't want to put my family through that someday.

[Insula Dei]

We've got euthanasia. I'm lukewarm about it.

(My issue with is that you risk winding up in a situation where the tacit assumption is that you can do as you please, but that you better please as we think best.)

[Antonio the Sixth]

VERY STRONGLY support.

Forcing someone who wants to die to remain alive is one of the most morally abominable things I can think of.

What makes you think the choice will only be made by the patient?

Hum... Because that's the whole point of assisted suicide?

[Person Man]

If I have a terminal illness and I want to die and spare my family the pain of watching me just slowly waste away until death, I feel that I have that right to end my life, preferably with an MD so as not to leave behind a big mess for my family to clean up. Anyone can do what they like, but I don't want to put my family through that someday.

A very good argument FOR could be that Assisted Suicide sorts out some of the problems with Modern Medicine NOT improving or even diminishing the quality and dignity of the lives of individuals.

[DC Al Fine]

VERY STRONGLY support.

Forcing someone who wants to die to remain alive is one of the most morally abominable things I can think of.

What makes you think the choice will only be made by the patient?

Hum... Because that's the whole point of assisted suicide?

Just like the whole point of the Iraq invasion was WMD's Seriously though, there is a huge difference between theoretical law and practical reality.

[Antonio the Sixth]

VERY STRONGLY support.

Forcing someone who wants to die to remain alive is one of the most morally abominable things I can think of.

What makes you think the choice will only be made by the patient?

Hum... Because that's the whole point of assisted suicide?

Just like the whole point of the Iraq invasion was WMD's Seriously though, there is a huge difference between theoretical law and practical reality.

The goal of the law would be making sure that this doesn't happen. If you claim the law would not be able to prevent abuses, then what's the point about a law banning assisted suicide anyway? You have to be consistent: either the law is effective or it isn't.

[This user has not been convicted of 34 felonies]

Neutral.

[Gamecock]

VERY STRONGLY support.

Forcing someone who wants to die to remain alive is one of the most morally abominable things I can think of.

What makes you think the choice will only be made by the patient?

Hum... Because that's the whole point of assisted suicide?

I think "choice" is more complicated than you appear to make it.

Tell me, what is to stop an understaffed and crowded hospital or even a patient's own family from pressuring an ill person to just go ahead and die? I also fail to think of any viable mechanisms to prevent such an abuse.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

VERY STRONGLY support.

Forcing someone who wants to die to remain alive is one of the most morally abominable things I can think of.

What makes you think the choice will only be made by the patient?

Hum... Because that's the whole point of assisted suicide?

I think "choice" is more complicated than you appear to make it.

Tell me, what is to stop an understaffed and crowded hospital or even a patient's own family from pressuring an ill person to just go ahead and die? I also fail to think of any viable mechanisms to prevent such an abuse.

He probably wouldn't have ended up in an understaffed overcrowded hospital on his death bed if he had a choice beforehand......I really think families would try and talk more of their relatives out of assisted suicide, than into it.

[Gamecock]

VERY STRONGLY support.

Forcing someone who wants to die to remain alive is one of the most morally abominable things I can think of.

What makes you think the choice will only be made by the patient?

Hum... Because that's the whole point of assisted suicide?

I think "choice" is more complicated than you appear to make it.

Tell me, what is to stop an understaffed and crowded hospital or even a patient's own family from pressuring an ill person to just go ahead and die? I also fail to think of any viable mechanisms to prevent such an abuse.

He probably wouldn't have ended up in an understaffed overcrowded hospital on his death bed if he had a choice beforehand......I really think families would try and talk more of their relatives out of assisted suicide, than into it.

I'd like to think so too, but if even one band of selfish ers tried to bully their elderly into just giving up would be too much for me.

I do admit sympathy for the other side of the issue though.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

VERY STRONGLY support.

Forcing someone who wants to die to remain alive is one of the most morally abominable things I can think of.

What makes you think the choice will only be made by the patient?

Hum... Because that's the whole point of assisted suicide?

I think "choice" is more complicated than you appear to make it.

Tell me, what is to stop an understaffed and crowded hospital or even a patient's own family from pressuring an ill person to just go ahead and die? I also fail to think of any viable mechanisms to prevent such an abuse.

He probably wouldn't have ended up in an understaffed overcrowded hospital on his death bed if he had a choice beforehand......I really think families would try and talk more of their relatives out of assisted suicide, than into it.

I'd like to think so too, but if even one band of selfish ers tried to bully their elderly into just giving up would be too much for me.

I do admit sympathy for the other side of the issue though.

Well, look, there is no win/win situation, but countries in Europe have this stuff down to a science with little problems and have been permitting it for a long long time.  My main objection to not allowing it is, most everyone (sans accidents, massive heart attacks, etc.....) gets to die a horrible death.  

There is no "right" answer here.....you either favor it or you don't, and add whatever caveats you like.  I doubt I'll live to see it become legal so I need to plan my own way out

[DC Al Fine]

VERY STRONGLY support.

Forcing someone who wants to die to remain alive is one of the most morally abominable things I can think of.

What makes you think the choice will only be made by the patient?

Hum... Because that's the whole point of assisted suicide?

Just like the whole point of the Iraq invasion was WMD's Seriously though, there is a huge difference between theoretical law and practical reality.

The goal of the law would be making sure that this doesn't happen. If you claim the law would not be able to prevent abuses, then what's the point about a law banning assisted suicide anyway? You have to be consistent: either the law is effective or it isn't.

The laws under which the questionable euthanasia takes place make a huge difference in effectiveness.

Which do you think is easier to differentiate in court?
1) Determining whether someone gave a fatal dose of barbituates.
2) Determining whether an elderly person was unduly influenced when they asked to die.

The 2nd one makes it almost impossible to catch problem cases in euthanasia, while the 1st one catches them by default.

[Antonio the Sixth]

VERY STRONGLY support.

Forcing someone who wants to die to remain alive is one of the most morally abominable things I can think of.

What makes you think the choice will only be made by the patient?

Hum... Because that's the whole point of assisted suicide?

Just like the whole point of the Iraq invasion was WMD's Seriously though, there is a huge difference between theoretical law and practical reality.

The goal of the law would be making sure that this doesn't happen. If you claim the law would not be able to prevent abuses, then what's the point about a law banning assisted suicide anyway? You have to be consistent: either the law is effective or it isn't.

The laws under which the questionable euthanasia takes place make a huge difference in effectiveness.

Which do you think is easier to differentiate in court?
1) Determining whether someone gave a fatal dose of barbituates.
2) Determining whether an elderly person was unduly influenced when they asked to die.

The 2nd one makes it almost impossible to catch problem cases in euthanasia, while the 1st one catches them by default.

I'm pretty sure there are plenty of precautions that can be taken to make sure those who want to die really want it. A good deal of paperwork and a significant waiting time should be enough. And furthermore... it's not like every single doctor and family member in this country is a sociopath, you know?

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

For those who have concerns about this assisted suicide being forced on someone, do you think following the procedures of other countries who have had it for a long period of time would ease your concerns?

[DC Al Fine]

VERY STRONGLY support.

Forcing someone who wants to die to remain alive is one of the most morally abominable things I can think of.

What makes you think the choice will only be made by the patient?

Hum... Because that's the whole point of assisted suicide?

Just like the whole point of the Iraq invasion was WMD's Seriously though, there is a huge difference between theoretical law and practical reality.

The goal of the law would be making sure that this doesn't happen. If you claim the law would not be able to prevent abuses, then what's the point about a law banning assisted suicide anyway? You have to be consistent: either the law is effective or it isn't.

The laws under which the questionable euthanasia takes place make a huge difference in effectiveness.

Which do you think is easier to differentiate in court?
1) Determining whether someone gave a fatal dose of barbituates.
2) Determining whether an elderly person was unduly influenced when they asked to die.

The 2nd one makes it almost impossible to catch problem cases in euthanasia, while the 1st one catches them by default.

I'm pretty sure there are plenty of precautions that can be taken to make sure those who want to die really want it. A good deal of paperwork and a significant waiting time should be enough. And furthermore... it's not like every single doctor and family member in this country is a sociopath, you know?

Given the Netherlands complete failure in this matter . Why would the USA be any different?

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It seems that the Netherlands euthanasia regulation is about effective as Wall Street's regulation.

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You might as well argue that France should introduce a well regulated death penalty, while America executes the odd 16 year old shoplifter.

[Antonio the Sixth]

I don't get it. Why aren't the doctors who performed abusive euthanasia being prosecuted? Of course regulations only make sense if there are sanctions for those who don't respect them.

[© tweed]

the resistance to something so humane is for me the most morally disgusting legacy of Judeo-Christianity.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

FYI

http://health.yahoo.net/news/s/ap/assisted-suicide-on-legal-agenda-in-several-states

[Torie]

I really don't need assistance to off myself. Thanks.