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Euthanasia

Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
Euthanasia - 'gentle and easy death; the bringing about of this especially in cases of incurable and painful disease.'

The Voluntary Euthanaisa Society (EXIT) aims to bring about a change in the law so that - 'an adult person suffering from a severe illness, for which no relief is know, should be entitle by law to the mercy of a painless death, if and only if, that is their expressed wish.'

The Case for Voluntary Euthanasia -
* it can quickly end a patient's suffering
* it can help shorten the grief and suffering of the patient's loved ones
* everyone has the right to decide how they should die
* if the law was changed, doctors could legally act on a patient's desire to die without further suffering
* it would help others to face death if they realized they could die with dignity

The Case againist Voluntary Euthanasia -
* there are many pain-killing drugs which can help the patient die with dignity
* a patient might not be able to make a rational decision or might change their mind but were incapable of telling the doctors
* many people recover after being 'written off' by doctors
* old people might feel they are a nuisance to others and opt for euthanasia when in their hearts they want to continue living
* 'God made man in his own image' (Genesis 1:27). Human life is a gift from God. It is sacred and has dignity
* euthanasia devalues life by making it disposable - it could be the first step on to a slippery slope
* the relationship of trust between doctors and patients could be destroyed. Under the Hippocratic Oath doctors must try to preserve life

This is the background but I would like to know your opinions.

Comments

  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    hey genie, will answer properly when not drunk...

    was thinking it might be better to have this topic in politics or action and volunteering

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  • JsTJsT Posts: 18,268 Skive's The Limit
    nah, dont agree with it at all.

    Euthansia should not be allowed in my mind.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by JsT:
    nah, dont agree with it at all.

    Euthansia should not be allowed in my mind.

    er...why?

    scenario:

    someone has an illness in which they're going to die a very painful death, they will waste away slowly, in agonising pain.

    they can say, oir indicate via many methods (it's been done in holland with a computer that asks a series of questions and the person has to press the correct button before anything occurs) that they want to end their life, have their life support machine turned off or whatever

    and you would say - no. i want you to live out your life, in absolute pain and waste away like a pathetic human being, in view of your loved ones who would rather remember you in a good state

    that's exactly what you've said. euthanasia should definitely be allowed, every person has the right to decide whether or not they want to live and shouldn't be denied that just because the law gets in the way.



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  • Indrid ColdIndrid Cold Posts: 16,688 Skive's The Limit
    Wouldn't this be better suited for "politics"? Oh well...


    My opinion is that the case against euthanasia sounds much more *mighty* then the case for euthanasia. Plus, I truly believe that as long as there's life, there is hope.

    Though, if someone wants to suicide (dying willingly is suicide, isn't it?) I think they should be talked out of it, if possible.

    I don't think there's a major difference between a man who is in a bad psychological state and decides to kill himself because he can't stand it and a man who is a bad physical state and decides to let others kill him because he can't stand it.

    So, in few words, I think of euthanasia as a way of suicide, and I'm against suicide.


    Oh, yeah, and:
    ...in view of your loved ones who would rather remember you in a good state

    I don't think that it would make it impossible or even hard for family and friends to remember the dead one as he was before the illness.

    Even a friendly smile shows the teeth behind.


    [This message has been edited by zalbor (edited 05-08-2001).]

    [This message has been edited by zalbor (edited 05-08-2001).]
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    i agree with it, i would like to think if i was on my deathbed and was in severe pain, that someone would put me out of my misery. dont know if i could help end someones life though
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I totally think people have the right to die when they r suffering and if they aint capable of it themselves then I think it definatly shouldnt be allowed for someone to help them end their suffering.

    I really feel strongly about this coz Ive seen people in situations where they r watching their loved ones dying slowely and very fucking painfully and everyone knows that person would be better off if their pain could be ended.

    My dad has said if he ever ends up in that position that I have to help him lmfao...he is being light hearted by the way. I know for a fact though, if Liam was suffering with no hope of getting better or anyone else that I cared about I would help them escape it and if I got sent to jail for the rest of my life at least I could be happy knowing that person was no longer in pain.

    I like to think Id get helped if I was the one suffering too, whats the point in going on when u r never going to feel normal, or without pain or have any sort of decent life...fuck that!
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    * a patient might not be able to make a rational decision or might change their mind but were incapable of telling the doctors

    There's no guarantee that your average man on the street is capable of making a rational decision, either. The results of research into Game Theory are especially damning in this respect. Don't patronize the afflicted and assume that no rational person could reach the conclusion that s/he no longer wishes to live.

    * 'God made man in his own image' (Genesis 1:27). Human life is a gift from God. It is sacred and has dignity

    To outlaw euthanasia on such grounds would be tantamount to enforcing the views of one religon on all, something most 'civilized' states claim to be aganist.

    * euthanasia devalues life by making it disposable - it could be the first step on to a slippery slope

    Individual lives are disposable. Leaders who have had to sacrifice lives in peace and war are well acquainted with this fact. Although individual deaths may be sad, it is the species' survival that matters. Or is it the survival of all life? I forget sometimes...

    * the relationship of trust between doctors and patients could be destroyed. Under the Hippocratic Oath doctors must try to preserve life

    No, it says, "First, do no harm." It is the definition of 'harm' that is the sticking point here.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I must point out to you MacKenZie that I was merely giving you the background to the case rather than declaring my own personal views on euthanasia. I think that you have made some important statements about the information given. But now I would like to hear your own personal view on the matter rather than a formulated analysis of what is given.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    my mum is a nirse and about 18 years ago or summot she was lookin after some1 who had taken weed killer, and they all knew he was goin to die.

    his lungs solidifyed and he was in incredible pain, and it took weeks 4 him 2 die. now wouldnt it have been beter if he had given his pommision 2 die and put out of his pain????

    i think it would...............
  • Girl-From-MarsGirl-From-Mars Posts: 2,822 Boards Guru
    i think it should be allowed.

    and as i dont seem to be allowed to analyse whats been said according to genie <IMG alt="image" SRC="http://www.thesite.org/ubb/rolleyes.gif"&gt; i'll leave it at that.

    Out of my mind. Back in five minutes.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    The main cause for concern for me is that the person who is ill may not be able to make a proper decision in his/her present state of mind.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    genie_2000:

    I know you were just listing arguments, and not necessarily your personal views. Nothing personal about it at all.

    As for my personal view. Yes, I support the provision of the euthanasia option. To ban it outright would be to force the moral standards of some onto all. As a witty British politician said when the ban on homosexuality was repealed:

    "I don't mind it being made legal. It's the thought of it being made compulsory that worries me."
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