Monday, May 19, 2008
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What are your thoughts on assisted suicide? Is it in any way acceptable?
You can never legalise it, because too many criminals would take advantage of it. There are thousands of assisted suicides every day across the world. Patients who are dying from cancer especially. I'm sure there are lots of cases where someone is put to slepp, but nothing is ever said. It should probably be this way. Its should be up to a panel of doctors at least..
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Comments (8)
maybe there could be a process for it... where people could make their intent known with a legal document?
@john - someone who is suicidal is not really of sound mind... though they probably think they are... its a pandora's box, with so many differing cases and circumstances i doubt a whole army of people could decide a process. I think its normally easier to assist a suicide without telling anyone, than it is to try and involve the law.
It goes totally against everything the law stands for... though I agree, there are certain situations where its humane I still can't condone it.
What if Stephen Hawkins had that right available to him... With the right help and love and time, can we get over this need to die?
@OwenHiggins - What about a more immediately terminal disease?
I live in the only state in the US that has a physician assisted suicide law. The Bush administration has tried to abolish it nearly from the moment it was passed. Thus far… to no avail.
Death with dignity act: http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/pas/
Then there is the un-acknowledge practice of mercy performed by nurses and Dr's. It's not anything you will see written down or even discussed. But, "Acts of Mercy" happen way more often than you would ever suspect. Yes, in most cases it's illegal. But, Plausible deniability usually keeps them safe.
when my mother was in her old age, became blind, unable to walk, she became really depressed and begged to be put to sleep. of course we couldn't do that for her. the doctor put her on anti-depressants. her last two years of life was of suffering in and out of hospitalizations and nursing homes. very depressing to see this happenning. I always wonder if I did the right thing for her. And when it comes to my turn and if I am like what my mother was going through, I would like to be put to sleep too.
@lelandwong - I'm sure your mother and many others just require someone to deny them... nobody really wants to die, its an expression of how horrible it is to degrade. I totally understand how you feel/felt but you couldn't have, its that simple.
@john - I totally agree, something such as a brain disease is very horrible to watch. Understandable.. completely... such things take away... they leave us with awful memories... painful moments where a family member turns into a child... forget who they are... there is nothing quite like this.
I am sure there are ways in which these people can be helped along at some stage... physical pain is another situation where death would be easier...
It should be explored