Assisted suicide forum
This forum on the issues surrounding assisted suicide is part of our poll about when YOU think a parent has the right to deny treatment to their child.
Your Comments, Thoughts, Questions, Ideas
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all three choices aren't nice
No doctor should ever kill
well lets say if u were the ill person and were in her position i think u would want to die!!!!
yea. i wouldent want to go through all that pain and all that other stuff. i would juust ask the doctor to pull the pluge. other words die!
for this reason, everyone should have a living will
I believe that if marie wanted to die, not because she was depressed, but because she feels that she is done everything on her bucketlist and doesnot want to die a painful death, the doctors should be aloud to humane let her rest
I agree the only one it is up to is god..................doc are wrong alot they gave my aunt a year to live 13 years ago
my dad was a doctor so they are not all the same
Actually, it's up to the people, not God. And, of course doctors are wrong quite often, just like everyone else. They're not a different species or anything. As for your aunt, her doctors were just giving you the worst case possible. Nobody can calculate exactly how long someone's going to live.
It is true that doctors are often mistaken but it is also true that even people who believe in god, i am not one, try to take advantage of the very minor mistakes that actually cause no harm at all.
i think that killing people in the hospital is not very nice to do but if they put it in their will then grant their wishes that is the way it should be peace out homies
well i think doctors shouldnt help kill other people its there job to make them live not make them die
Again, really tough questions.
I actually don't think that a doctor should ever kill. But I think they can aggressively alleviate suffering, even if that means hastening death, and they can provide the means for a patient to commit suicide on their own or for a trusted family member to help.
No one should make such a decision on the basis of finances. Although I'm sure it's hard not to, and I'm sure people do all the time.
And I think ventilators and machines are "extreme measures," but not care and feeding.
Write a living will, and make sure you've thought through all sorts of scenarios and that your loved ones know what you want.
I totally agree. this should not happen.
it can be done if a patients wants ,it is his/her right to take his
I think if the person wants to die then let them. I mean who are we to interfere?
Assisted suicide should be an option. Morally many people won't agree with it. However, imagine if you were living with a terminal illness and you had a very poor quality of life...would you want to suffer? If you were completly dependant on others for all of your personal cares and hygiene I think the choice should be there. It's not like doctors are injecting massive amounts of drugs into terminal patients and walking away. Patients chose that they no longer want to live; they choose not to put the burden on their caregivers. From one extreme it can be a selfish decision, and on the other it can be extremly unselfish.
We currentlyhae a family member who is dieing avery slow painful death and has asked to be let die. the law says no. there is no cure for her. we see her daily suffering and can do nothing, but watch them pump her full of drugs. i'm sorry but that is not life! we can sign DNR's, we can ask not to be kept alive on life support, but we cannot decide when and if we want to die if there is no cure. i just don't get it. i believe it should be our choice. doctors can say there is not chance they will have any chance at a normal life after an accident, brain dead etc., and life can be terminated, but not for a terminal illness. what gives.....
This is hard. Suicide is bad.
Carl Ray and Joe Bob say "Hi!".
I am here with my dad Frank 'the Tank' and my brother Carl Ray and his friend Joe Bob. We are having fun. We like America. We are from MEXICO.
it is not killing it is letting someone go... something that has to happen ... its natural
It is MURDER!!!!!
I thought question 2 was phrased oddly - it made it sound like maybe she hadn't committed one way or the other, and the family and insurance were pressuring the doctors. Otherwise, this is clear: everyone should go home right now and make a living will and doctors AND FAMILY should respect that directive.
We have the decency to let our dogs die in peace but not our loved ones? Why is it legal to end pointless suffering in our pets but not in humans. When we treat our animals with more respect than fellow humans we're heading in the wrong direction.
These questions help illuninate the need for havin a living will and sharing your concerns over your care with loved ones before you or they are ever faced with having to make those decisions in a crisis situation. The same holds true if you want to donate your organs to others at the time of your death. Without explicitely making those wishes known in writing, there's no guarantee that they'll be honored when you might be in no condition to make them known.
We just went through a very similar situation. We feel strongly that it's the patient's wishes that should be honored...not the hospital's, or relative's, or doctor's, or insurance company's, or religion, etc. It seems in this lady's situation she had clearly voiced her wishes! It's unconscionable to force pain upon her if she doesn't wish it.
i think that if the lady has asked to die she had a reason so respect her wishes because your not the bos of her.
i agree totally. if she wants 2 dye its her business
When will we retreat from the words "assisted suicide" to a more appropriate term? After all, many very ill people are kept alive these days to benefit the medical community and nursing homes. Enough of the magic doctors have tried to spead in recent years with their heroic measures and false promises used to keep terminallyl ill people alive only to line their own pockets. We need a new paradigm dealing with life at the end. People need to be assisted with this process which is NOT assisted suicide.
Fortunately the wonderful people who participate in the hospice movement often do well helping people for whom the end is near. They bring comfort to all, who participate in the journey of the impending death of a loved one.
Using extreme measures, drugs, respirators, feeding tubes, etc. to maintain "life" is not done for the benefit of a dying patient. Just because modern medicine and machines can keep the heart beating and the brain waves going does not mean we should do it. I agree with all oft the others who have recommended talking about this with their family and drafting a living will.
My mother was clearly ready to go several months before she diied. She was a nurse and had a living will that stipulated no measures should be taken if she was terminal. She had worked with older people in their last stage of life and wanted no part of it.
However, another family member was not ready to "let her go". A nurse intervened and suggested my mother be fed a mixture of ice cream and Ensure which kept her going -- against her will -- for several months. That's meddling, not good medicene based on her religious beliefs.
Unfortunately, a liiving will can be trumpted by any immedeate family member's objection. By all means have a living will but it's not 100% fool proof!
I think that if a person is termanilly ill and can no longer breath on their own or their is no brain activity the family should make the decision.
thank u every one else that thinks it is wrong i bet they have never been in this position!!!
The question involving "pressured to end care by family OR insurance/HMOs..." needs to be reworded to be more objective. Relatives are no comparison to some 3rd party corporation, and makes this question a little suspect.
It's either got to be spelled out (so the decision is a no-brainer), or the immediate spouse/children have to initiate it, with a doctor to confirm the condition and a judge to sign the final order, including a mandatory 6 month "stay of execution"...
If it's NOT clearly spelled out, but the spouse or children feels the intents were clear, they could possibly initiate the evaluation process. Then the health care provider, immediate family (either spouse or children), and a nonpartisan 3rd party (i.e. judge, etc) could make that final decision. If this makes you worry about your kids prematurely putting you down, then perhaps you should raise them better in your next life :)
Anyhow, I wouldn't ever trust just a doctor, or insurace co. to make this decision for *anyone*, due to conflict of interest; the insurance and health care industry are frequently attached at the hips.
I think they should do what they want.Im with the anomonous.
shouldn't everyone choose their path even to the end
i think that if people want to die than that would be there decision to die.
for example, if someone is in dieing conditions and wants to die then let them!!!!!!!!!!
peace out!!!!!!
i think doctors should not do that,
it is killing
i think that marie should try living and if she can no longer bear it then she should ask for assistance in suicide.
We need to be a culture of life, not death. Moving the ethical lines to assisted suicide will open a gate to further unethical decisions which may, in the future, affect each of us individually. We already have opened the gate to the living unborn being terminated legally. Next will be the elderly and infirm. Then will it be the mentally handicapped, the physically challenged, then...???? The homeless? the unwanted of society?
Hello Hitler, Holocaust, Stalin, the Crusades, and other "dark" days of our history!
Sincerely,
one given life as a sacred trust
A story called "For the Elderly, Being Heard About Life's End" ran in the New York Times' Health section this week.
It's not really about assisted suicide or living wills or the right to die with dignity, but it's about the concept of "slow medicine." The approach is more about comfort than cure, and it lets patients make decisions about hospitalization, tests, surgery, medication, and even nutrition. Medical centers that subscribe to the approach provide a continuum of care options, and help families consider all the "what ifs?" instead of rushing into the most aggressive possible treatment of all conditions.
people should not be put down if they are healthy
killing people is mean and selfish. and so is killing your self!!!!! :(
Amen To That!!!!!!
I can't see why people do it!!!
D':
It all depends on what the person wants. If the person has expressed that they want to die or that they don't want any extra help to live, then that should be complied with. If the person is under pressure and has expressed that the only reason they would accept death is because of pressure, then it shouldn't be allowed.
You place a topic on assisted suicide under the heading of "Building better humans". I have to admit after seeing the exhibit here on Eugenics, I am amused at the slippery slope you appear to be trying to dance on here.
the doctor's should honor the patient's wishes because it is her right to decide, unless she is mentally incompetent to make decisions on her own.
we should not noy interfer with the piants waishes but then agianit's MURDER!!!!!
Why is it we euthanize our pets so that do not have to suffer but our terminally ill....to hell with them, let them rot? I don't get it. If I am in constant pain and there is no hope for me to get better, I pray that some kind soul will be compassionate enough to end my suffering.
cindy e-b
I think that if we can put an animal to sleep because of whatever reason, and call it humane, we should be able to do the same for humans. I also think we as humans should make the dying process better for everybody involved, espicially the person dying. It is a part of life, we will all die someday, shouldn't we make it as painless as possible? The person dying should make the choices on how and where, and what type of treatment they want or don't want, as long as they are still able to make thoes decissions, and loved ones should follow-through, even if it isn't what they want for their loved ones
If their choice is to die, then the doctors should let them. If they are unconcsious and there is a great chance that they will not come around, then it should be the family's choice, but if there is no family, then the doctors should not be able to "pull the plug" without patient or family consent.
I think it all depends on the patents wishes, and the familys concern. Family always knows whats best.
I am with the supporters of assisted suicide. The problem seems to be that it is still illegal for doctors to help a person die with dignity rather than suffer. My husbands grandmother health has deteriated so much over the past two years, it is hard for the family to be around her. She is so sad, she just sits and cries. She needs to wear diapers and have someone change them for her. Where is the dignity in that? I hope the laws are different when I am older so that if I end up like that, someone will legally as well as ethically be able to help me end my suffering.
sometimes you have to love someone enough to let them go. If someone is suffering and wants to die, sometimes the humane thing to do is let them. It is what we do for pets, why should humans be held to a different standard? If a person is of sound mind, they should decide for themselves how best to handle suffering.
i do not think assisted suicide should be legal. its not up to the doctors to choose when someone dies. i think this up to god and only god.
This is sad... but a great idea :)
if someone wants to be killed because they have nothing left to do in their life they should be able to die if they want
i dont think that killing someone is a good idea i dont think that she should be pulled of lifesupport unless she said she asked to be!!!!!
I think if Marie is in pain and so unhappy with her quality of life then she should be able to end it. The trouble is, in reality nothing is that simple and the second question highlights this. I find it hard to believe that in ALL cases voluntary euthanasia is actually voluntary. It's too easy for other issues to confuse the situation.
In the case study it is simple. Marie wants to die, she should be allowed to die and spare herself some pain. Similar to taking pain killers to remove pain (although, yes i get that it's more permanent.) But in reality there will always be other problems - does she have children, what do they want, should she give in to their wishes or stick to her own. With a terminal illness Marie has probably had much time to think about this and should hopefully have made up her own mind earlier and let her family/doctors etc know her wishes.
I don't think voluntary euthanasia should be introduced mainly because I don't think it will always be used in the best interests of the patient. Sad, but true. It opens up too many opportunities for manipulation.
The question that really bugged me was the one about the mentally ill patient. That had me hemming and hahhing about what answer to give. What if inside that brain, the patient is happily enjoying memories of previous times. There's still too much we don't know about the human brain to say that this patient should die.
I think that she shouldn't be pressured into comitting suicide by her insurance or family, so the docter would have to use his judgment to see if that's why or if she just wants to die because she will anyways and otherwise would be in pain for the rest of her life.
I agree. My husband committed suicide and life insurance paid but I was devastated.
Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. does that also mean that someone can surrender that right? Right to death?? if that's what the person wants, I think they should be able to
I think it is important to fulfill the needs of our patients. If the patient is coherent while making the requests then Doctors should be obligated to carry them through.
We were created to live a natural life, so why should our death be any other way? Why do we try so hard to prevent it? Death comes to anyone and giving anyone (doctor or family) the right to choose whether someone lives or dies beyond nature is wrong. Let life take the path its going to take. Let people die as naturally as they were born. period.
all situations are sad. I would hate to be put in a situation in which I would have to make a decision. Prayerfull none of these situations will effect my loved ones or myself. If so, I'm sure my answers will be different than how I answered them in this questionaire.
im not sure murder them that is good
hello there people of the world..........i think that if people want to die, they should have a right to. being in pain only makes it worse for this person so why not take them out of their suffering quickly and painlessly. yep yep yep yep yep yep yep yep yep yep yep yep yep
bye bye
I think That if someone wants to die because of a legit reason they should be able to pursue their wishes.
If they want to die because of fear of what was to come in the future, I would think not.
People should not kill themselves.
suicide ... wrong
dont commit suicide
People who are terminal and in great pain are often denyed enough pain killer because opiates tend too suppress breathing. Some docs who have done it anyway have been accused of murder by zealots even though the patient and family wanted the drug. I Canada confiscated heroin can be used for terminal patients -- it is not only a pain killer but a "euphoric" (sp?) and helps the patient feel better. I would like that option to be open as well as having the means to painlessly kill myself if it got too bad.
where permitted (e.g. Oregon and the Netherlands), nearly all do not do it but find comfort in having the means.
I honestly don't know what to say. This is such a hard choice. Unless that one Marie person--and any person in similar situations--asked to die, docters--the people meant to SAVE lives--shouldn't comply.
In a way if she really wants it, and her family says it's okay with them, then I would agree with this subject. But to allow someone to die and not have any chance to do one or two more thingss they want to do, that's just plain mean and unessecary.
I belive if a person has very spacificly said under any of those curcumstancises they want to die, the doctor should respect thier wishes.
assisted suicide already has a name its murder
i don't like when people die.
I feel this is very very mean. Docters should not help their paitents commit suicide.
ultimately it comes down to the lord's timing
They should only help if the person is in a lot of pain and ask them to
I think it should really be her decision because no one should ever decide on who dies, you should have your own decision and opinion!!!!!!!
Technology allows for survival to be optimal. If we don't have the resources, then we have done our best to save someone. Morals are different for everyone and thus, should be based on one's own feelings. Although family is important, I don't feel even they have the right to determine the life of another.
In the future, we can only hope that our medicine will be more advanced to deal with the moral issues that are presented with us today.
people in pain should not be allowed to live, and die if they want to. isn't there an injection that they can take or something? well i just don't like people to be in pain, but it's hard for them to die also.
Yeah, I agree with anna that only happy people should be allowed to live. happy white people.
Killing is a person not everytime bad.
if you kill sb who in pain is a favour for everyone,
this is not killing sb, this is a painkiller.
I'm against to euthanasia.I think that it shouldn'nt be allowed!You can'n end a human's life.It's not your job!!!!:)
I think it should be allowed because if i was in that postiton and i couldn't do anything for my self anymore i would want to die. i am not saying doctors should kill anybody, its just that if its in someone s will and they requested it that than they shall die. but if it was me i would want to rest in peace... no further questions/or compliants. thats my opinion
Its against the law for the doctor to ' pull the plug' even ifhte person wants it
it shouldnt be a legislative ruling, let the states decide, just like gay marrage. it does depend on the situation.
Um...this test will probably give me nightmares. Seriously...
No doctor should kill it;s up too the patient and doctors dont kon much anyways
I think that if the patient requests or has the no extreme measures to keep them alive in their will that it is perfectly acceptable if they have no more desire to live but it is a different story if their family or friends request it unless they are financially sustaining the life support.
In fact, doctors are people with doctorate degrees, and they had to go to school for a very long time. I can tell from the way you type that you're a little kid that needs to stop skipping school. Get your facts straight and learn to write in English before you make a post like that again.
i think a doctor should never loose hope! the patent deserves help.
it's really kinda hard 2 chose but doctors but i don't think doctors should kill on porpose unless it's really necessery.
The pie charts are all identical and misleading since there's similar and then large differences in the numbers. This is from a science museum and this is a very controversial issue, and most glance at the graphics. Showing the real numbers will educate viewers on public opinion.
My opinion?
My father has Alzheimers now and has requested Physician Assisted Suicide and an ending to his life without prolonged suffering as he saw his mother and his siblings have to face. We hope to honor his wishes, but this is controversial and I hear so many excuses for him: "he's depressed," etc.
No, he wants to determine his destiny.
I think if the family wants it and she wants you should respect their wishes becuase how would it be if they are both not satisfied.
Insurance is expensive but at the same time its very hard to let a family member go. Its very sad and doctors shouldnt do it.
No matter what, no one and I mean no one desrves to die for whatever reason. Persenally, i believe that god can decide our fate not others as well as the owner. I'm not saying that criminals shouldn't be punished but don't make it involve death. As for the ill, there should always be hope for a better way out.
After the attemp of contacting the family and if the family says no just to keep the child there just to them the doctor has every right.
If the person was still alert and in control of their thinking and the decision was theirs then yes I think the doctor has an obligation to at least talk to the patient about it and to consider it ..However to do it simply because it's getting to expensive to keep the patient alive then the family needs to think about what kind of people they are before acting
doctors are suppose to help human get better not worser!!!
If the patient makes it a request, i think the doctor should respect their opinion. And if the family agrees, and does not want to see their love ones in pain anymore, maybe it is better, to help them rest in peace. No one wants to die in pain.
I think that if she is in pain and only has a few more
months to live and she doesn't want to suffer, she should be allow to rest in peace where she can no longer feel pain. I think the doctor could give her something to let her sleep and let her pass away so she won't feel pain.
I think that if she wants to die painlessly, then do it. As long as the poor soul doesn't have to go through pain anymore let her die. But if you choose to let her die of starvation and pain than that's completely wrong. The suffering of a human being is an injustice. Also the killing of one when they are perfictlly healthy is also wrong. Killing her because of a mental disease that she couldn't prevent is sad. There are organizations out there to help famillies who can't afford medical care for loved ones. you have to consider the options that are out there to help.
These are tough decisions for any family to make. A person should have a 'living will' so their family knows exactly what your wishes are when you are in situations where you are incapacitated or unable to make your own decisions. That way no one can force you to do something that was not part of your wishes regardless whether the insurance companies want to pay the bill or not.
If I or any member of my family was in the final stages of a teminal illness with extreme pain and no hope, I would be ok with assisted suide.
Every situation is different and should be assessed according to the situation at hand. For example, the woman of whom we answered the questions on has led a full life, and is suffering greatly because her body has worn out - she is in pain. In her case - I believe it should be her choice - as painful as that may be to her relatives. In other cases there may be other factors involved.
Sue
Having lost someone under similar circumstances I can certainly understand how hard it it to make that type of decision. Hopefully it would have been a topic of conversation prior to the decision-making process. It does not make it easier, but at least everyone knows how the person feels and what their wishes are.
I personally think it is wrong but if that is their wishes and they want to go pain free and they have a teminal disease they sould have a form to fill out or something.
It's hard to say yes to helping someone die. But I think in extreme cases like suffering too much pain during life suuport people should be given the choice to live or die. Living with horrible pains is worse than dying. But it all depends on the situation and on the person.
If people want to end their lives they should be able to. Why should being physically unable to do it yourself rob you of an ability everyone else has (to end your life).
What about a system where suicides or assisted suicides could donate their organs?
http://www.colintimberlake.com/suicide-organ-donation-transplant/
Do you think a system should be set up where people committing suicide can do so in a way that allows the state to harvest their organs while they can still be used?
well i really think that no matter how much the patient ask to be put to "sleep" the doctors shouldnt due it.
Choosing when life should end is not a doctor’s call. Doctors should make patients as comfortable as they can and apply reasonable means to sustain life.
Life starts and ends outside of our (direct) control.
Nothing seems to be easier than seeing someone whom you can help but not helping.
I suggest we start giving it a try. Give love to the ones that need it.
God will appreciate it.
I personally do not think that it is morally right to assist someone in commiting suicide, i think it is just like committing murder.
i think that mari shold be abel to die how she wants
It is really hard on the doctor if his/her patient want them to help them so they can died without pain. Its really on the outside to say yes or no because we are not in their shoes. If the doctor do help they are like an angel helping a person go peacefully without any pain.
well think of it this way if your allowed to put your pet down then your pet had no choice in the matter so why should they be allowed to be out down and a person cant make a concious and well thought out descicion that they want to die?
also whats the point if someone is going to live for another 3 or 4 years if they are in too much pain to expieriance life? their last memories of life shouldnt be filled with crippling pain.
yeah. deep stuff.
I have a question for those of you who say that it's up to God to decide wheather the person lives or dies.
Don't you use medications? Because maybe god wants you to die but you use medications to prevent your death even though god wants you dead.
Baby Jesus would be really angry in this case.
everyone has a right to choose to die if his life is unbearable , and this includes any kind of pain in his life, either its physical or emotional pain. constant emotioanl pain is much more painfull than any physical pain. your life is you thing, if you want to end it, you should have a right to do it and doctors MUST help you and comply to your wish.
Who can determine the cutoff where you refuse someones wish to die?
-A lonely unemployed, toothless, autistic without hope of ever living his/her dreams; tortured by a lifelong emotional pain of exclusion?
-Terminally disabled and perceived non-productive element in society?
-Con-genital diseases?
-Genetic cleansing of the New World Order?
'cause really, there aren't enough planetary resources to give each person a satisfactory life. Off yourself and give someone else a better chance.
"Con-genital diseases." Like... herpes?
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