Assisted Suicide

[Killswitch]

Are you in favor of it?

For clinically terminally ill people, that can be pronounced mentally fit to make such a judgement , and decision...I am.

I'm sure someone will mention that we are all terminal....such is life.....so save that argument.

 

[Caroline Lamb]

Yes.

 

[Ms_Lilith]

Nope, I'm against it. It's taking a life before its time.

 

[sexy-girl]

its complicated because if you're terminally ill or in severe pain or handicapped

then its pretty obvious that you're going to be potentially in a very depressed state


so how can you then be mentally fit to make that decision ?

 

[Killswitch]

its complicated because if you're terminally ill or in severe pain or handicapped

then its pretty obvious that you're going to be potentially in a very depressed state


so how can you then be mentally fit to make that decision ?

I see your point.....and there would have to be discussion of this by learned psychologists, and students of the human mind to be sure.

 

[Killswitch]

To take it a step further; not to complicate the query....but arent we in control of our own bodies?

Ive heard committing suicide is against the law.......hard to prosecute Im sure.....but if you dont want to live.....who has the right to tell you that you have too?

 

[Gilly Bean]

I am not for it, persay, but I am not opposed to it either.

I realize that it may upset family members to lose someone earlier than thier condition would state, but how is it the families judgment when the person is in a perpetual state of pain?

If a person were given a hope of recovering, i would be against it, but with most of the elderly people whohave done it, they were given a life sentence. They were told how long they were likely to live, and they knew that they would be spending at least half of it either in pain, or doped up beyond belief.

I personally would not want my families last memories of me to be someone in pain, or someone who doesn't even know who they are.

I want them to remember me as I was when I was healthy.


I am saying this hypothetically, of course, because I am healthy, but I may not always be this way, and I would prefer them to know me as I am now, not as I will become.

Reading over that, I'm not sure it made sense, but I also don't know how to better say it.

 

[bluespoke]

its complicated because if you're terminally ill or in severe pain or handicapped

then its pretty obvious that you're going to be potentially in a very depressed state


so how can you then be mentally fit to make that decision ?

Not so. Clarity of mind is often particularly vivid in those clutching at the final threads. Surprisingly, many are not depressed.

The decision is also often taken before the final stages of a terminal disease. Thus the use of living wills etc.

 

[myrgth]

The decision is also often taken before the final stages of a terminal disease. Thus the use of living wills etc.

Sadly, not enough people either know about living wills, or feel comfortable making out one. This wouldn't be a question if more people would go out and make a living will. There would be no question about the quality of life vs. quantity, because each person would decide at what point they deem the quality of life to be not worth living. With out a living will, hospitals are obligated to do everything w/in their power to keep a person alive, regardless of the person and the families wishes.

 

[Pyper]

Hrm, I predict this thread will descend into a flame war in...less than four pages.

 

[MissTaken]

Do I hear 4.5?



There is a difference between a living will and assisted suicide.

The first, is a means by which you can determine ahead of time what treatments will be permitted under certain circumstances.

The latter is the addition of another element, a drug or even a bullet to end your life at your request.

I strongly encourage anyone who hasn't to complete a living will. IT saves the family the pain of having to make difficult decisions.

As for assisted suicide?
I will think on it further.
It is not exactly a black and white issue.

 

[Xander]

Cant talk for anyone else but myself. Yup I'm for it.

In fact, I have made the appropriate arrangement that if certain factors are in effect. I want the plug pulled on life support.

 

[April]

To take it a step further; not to complicate the query....but arent we in control of our own bodies?

Ive heard committing suicide is against the law.......hard to prosecute Im sure.....but if you dont want to live.....who has the right to tell you that you have too?

I agree with Killswitch here, much as it pains me to do so.

I've heard also that committing suicide is illegal. To me, this is bizarre and laughable. What are you gonna do? Gas me for it? Ha! To borrow a phrase from the Pro-choicers, "My body, my rights". I'm firmly in favor of each person's right to off themselves when they feel they've lived long enough in this harsh, painful world. No one has any business telling someone they have to continue living if they don't want to.

 

[April]

Oh yeah. Spelling buddy sez: per se, not persay.

 

[Tranquility]

"I've heard also that committing suicide is illegal"
I don't know about anywhere else but I do know in florida if by chance you attempt suicide and fail then they can charge you and they will...have seen it done. As for living wills I have one in place because I know my husband would never per se pull the plug unless it is written somewhere thats what I want...I wouldn't want them to remember me laying there all hooked up to stuff with tubes,I would want him and our son to remember laughing during a trip to the beach the 3 of us. As for assisted suicide its a touchy thing and personal choice but I personally believe its a option and proably would chose it if I thought it would lesson the pain my family would have to deal with and I knew I was going to die a ugly death why put them through that. This is just my own thinking mind you and if I get flamed for it oh well we are all intitled to our own way of thinking.

 

[Freya]

I'm absolutely for it, providing that the terminally ill patient makes that decision for themselves, prior to reaching a point when they can no longer think clearly, due to drugs/pain/etc.

And Vix - taking a life before its time? The life is over - all that's left is pain and anguish. To me, the person who is ill should be the one to make the decision whether they want that for their final days.

 

[Lasz]

I am against it. I think someone could concievably kill someone and get away with it by tamporing with evidence to show that it was an assisted suicide.

 

[Killswitch]

Living wills are a good thing....however.....you can sit at the coffee table with your spouce and plan a living will out, but when it comes time, and becomes necessary to execute it(no pun intended) it is very difficult for a lot of people.

If you have ever watched a loved one lie in a bed in a coma or worse....and yes there is worse.....for 2 years shrivveling up to a sliver of thier formers selves, then it changes your views on assisted suicide, or assisted passing.

I think the term "suicide" has a lot of negative conotations that come along with it.

But.....my wife and I just filed our wills....well drew them up and had them notorized and sent to appropriate parties.....which, if you dont have one....its never too soon......you DO NOT want to end up in probabte court, or have your loved ones go through that.......but I am going to look into the Living Will deal as well now.

Thanks for reminding me all.

 

[Killswitch]

It wasnt my intention here, but the thread brings back memories of " Soylent Green".....if you havent seen it....try and find it. I am going too.

 

[heavenly body]

This is not a simple question. There are too many variables to consider. I do not believe in assisted suicide in general. There is a big difference between choosing to refuse treatment and asking someone to actively hasten your death.

To ask someone to assist you in ending your life makes that person responsible for their part in your death. That is a legacy that I would not ask someone to assume. I believe it is an absence of hope that prompts someone to seek death and I do believe if life exists there is always hope however remote.

I think people exercise their choice in ways such as advance directives and by refusing heroic measures. That is their right. I believe it should be supported and respected. Regardless of the wishes of their family should they be different. But what "doctor death" did was wrong. I feel he crossed a line. Perhaps it is a fine one but he nevertheless crossed it and committed a crime.

 

[zipman]

I believe in death with dignity for those who choose it.

 

[HeavyStick]

Are you in favor of it?

When do you want a hand?