Euthanasia
 

Recent discussion in our English class has turned to euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. In case you didn't know, euthanasia is the practice of killing somebody because they are in a great deal of pain, and usually they have a terminal condition. I believe that you have a right to diecide when you want to die. Some people say that suicide has too many social repercussions. Currently, US law prohibits physician-assisted suicide. What do you think?

I am for the right to die. Who is anyone to tell me when i can't die?

I don't see why we aren't just allowed to do with ourselves what we see fit. If I have a terminal illness and spend the rest of my days in agony, then why shouldn't I be allowed to pass on when and how I want to. Because, not only am I suffering, but the emotional/financial burden to my family could be enormous. Sure, there is emotional pain when someone dies, but it is only temporary. Once your loved one has passed, the healing process for the survivors can begin. If someone languishes in agony for years, then the suffering just drags on and on. I can't see how that does anybody any good.

For me, it is all about quality of life. If the quality of my life has diminished so much that life is no longer worth living, then I say we should have the right to call it quits.

Saerching TFP brings up many threads where euthanasia has been discussed. Here's one with the same title, for example:

http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthr...ght=euthanasia

One of the difficulties with physician-assisted suicide is who makes the decision. There are significant problems with each of the following options: doctor, family, and self. I imagine the problems with both doctor and family are obvious -- too easy for a conflict of interest to obtain. The problems with self are perhaps less obvious, but consider that depression can be a passing condition, but suicide tends to be permanent. Also, what about situations where the patient is unable to express her wishes? Who interprets the living will?

Harold Shipman would have probably gone unnoticed.

Personally, I'm all for it and if someone would be better off dead than suffering, do it. But there are so many legal aspects involved. Liability, insurance, family, etc., that it would be a hard thing to pass. If it wasn't for all the red tape I think it would be something that would make someone's last moments less miserable.

Ahh... damn, forgot to search, but I'm glad that people don't tire of discussing it

If i was in that postion i would be high the last days of my life. Who cares then. Every durg you could think of, and i don't do drugs now. I think that would be better than killing myself. But I am on my way to become a Doctor, and I wouldnt help someone kill themself, just make them feel commfy when they have nothing to look forward too. But if someone wanted to take themself out, that doesn't bother me

I'll go a step further and say I support suicide and assisted suicide from anyone at any time, even from those who have no terminal illness. Living should be a choice and not a decision forced upon you. I do feel people should never choose to die unless their circumstances are completely understood and explored. The legal issues with Euthanasia in particular need hammered out a bit more before making it legal. It really is a slow torture to waste away with no hope of recovery.

I would say that if someone has a terminal illness and they are suffering, they should be allowed to end it if they want to. It makes things easier on everyone in the long run. It has been said before about the pain for the immediate future, but that would go away faster than if someone had to suffer for years. As gondath said, there are issues that need to be straightened out, but I hope it's legalized eventually.