In case you don't know what euthanasia is, it is essentially a way to end your own life at your will quickly and painlessly [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euthanasia[/url]
(I will be talking about voluntary euthanasia as opposed to other forms)
There are different methods, such as deliberate overdosing on morphine supplied by doctors or lethal injections (and probably more methods)
So the obvious possible cases where this may be used are in cases where the patient is suffering with a terminal illness. Take for example a cancer patient in their last few days left to live, perhaps bedridden and in great pain or discomfort. It would be possible to end their life with euthanasia, thus putting and end to the suffering.
In many countries, however, this is illegal.
I feel this is wrong, and that people should have the choice to end their life at their own will. In fact, I feel it's actually cruel to essentially 'force' people to have to live through great suffering for extra days and thus let the family suffer longer too.
Some pros:
- End suffering as quickly as possible (Someone in great pain does not have to endure more time)
- Allows for a dignified death around the people they want to be around (Natural death can happen at any time, and so you may die alone or die in great pain)
- Allows for a quick, painless and calm death
Cons:
- What happens if the patient is unable to make a rational decision due to their condition? Who should be the one to say if they can continue to live or not?
I'm strongly for voluntary euthanasia, and so I feel it should be legalized.
For me, this is a really interesting topic. I have a family member currently suffering with a terminal illness and what makes it difficult is that I live hundreds of miles away, and so it's unlikely I will be there when he passes. It would be nice to be there for him along with the rest of my family so he can pass away calmly and in a way he feels comfortable.
What do you guys think about this topic? Should it be legal to choose when to die?
Their debt falls on their next of kin, and whatever children or responsibilities they have are now in the hands of someone else. Those things have to be considered first.
[QUOTE=Boom_Hedshot;30178911]Their debt falls on their next of kin, and whatever children or responsibilities they have are now in the hands of someone else. Those things have to be considered first.[/QUOTE]
But that would happen in the case of a terminal illness anyway
If I am dying of brain cancer or some other such deadly disease that I KNOW I would die from, I would like to die by this.
[QUOTE=Trumple;30178925]But that would happen in the case of a terminal illness anyway[/QUOTE]
Yes, but you never specified anywhere in the thread that only those circumstances applied.
In absolutely hopeless cases and only with agreement of the patient, confirmed to be though through and serious decision by a psychologist.
But the thing is, if you have been in a coma for years, how will people know you want to die?
[QUOTE=Boom_Hedshot;30178952]Yes, but you never specified anywhere in the thread that only those circumstances applied.[/QUOTE]
True I didn't, but the question was should it be legal or not
[QUOTE=Simples;30178963]But the thing is, if you have been in a coma for years, how will people know you want to die?[/QUOTE]
You don't want to do die, you don't want to do anything, seeing as you aren't sentient for the duration of your coma.
Euthanasia should only be applied when the patient is ABSOLUTELY SURE that they wish to.
[QUOTE=Trumple;30178972]True I didn't, but the question was should it be legal or not[/QUOTE]
Should it be legal in cases of terminal illnesses only? Or will this cover other spectrums as well? Heroine addicts that have failed treatment multiple times, people who are homeless and destitute, those who have lost their entire family and significant other to an accident, etc.
[QUOTE=aznz888;30178987]Euthanasia should only be applied when the patient is ABSOLUTELY SURE that they wish to.[/QUOTE]
I agree but how do you determine if the patient is in the right state of mind?
[editline]1st June 2011[/editline]
[QUOTE=Boom_Hedshot;30179001]Should it be legal in cases of terminal illnesses only? Or will this cover other spectrums as well? Heroine addicts that have failed treatment multiple times, people who are homeless and destitute, those who have lost their entire family and significant other to an accident, etc.[/QUOTE]
Interesting, I suppose I didn't consider other possibilities of when it may be misused. However, in cases where the patient simply wants to end their life the determination would be great enough to commit suicide with other methods
Euthanasia will be abused. I think it shouldn't be allowed.
By abuse I mean that doctors will administer patients some poison and afterwards say "It was their will", as it's happening in the netherlands.
I'm for it. But only if it's used by people who have a terminal illness and are guaranteed to live a degrading life if left to let nature takes its course.
The way I see it. If I had a terminal illness, such as some sort of inoperable cancer, I would rather control how I die, and pass with my dignity intact, than go through what cancer does to you. I've seen people close to me go through cancer, and it's the most horrible way I can imagine someone to die.
[QUOTE=DrLuke;30179127]Euthanasia will be abused. I think it shouldn't be allowed.
By abuse I mean that doctors will administer patients some poison and afterwards say "It was their will", as it's happening in the netherlands.[/QUOTE]
Obviously, you shouldn't be able to say "I want to die" and that's it. It should all have to done legally, with both parties signing legal documents to prevent something like that from happening.
I strongly disagree. You can never know if a person wants to have an euthanasia or not. It is always better to be safe than sorry - after all, life is a very big deal, you know. Also it'd create a great chance for people who want to kill someone - I mean, creating a legit way to make someone die? Imagine all these backdoors, going around the rules, angry family members wanting someone to die not to end his pain, but just to get rid of him.
And again, I strongly disagree with euthanasia. No one's life should be linked to someone's else decision, or his own, questionable decision.
Only if patient himself decided.
[QUOTE=Nexosz;30179188]I strongly disagree. You can never know if a person wants to have an euthanasia or not. It is always better to be safe than sorry - after all, life is a very big deal, you know. Also it'd create a great chance for people who want to kill someone - I mean, creating a legit way to make someone die? Imagine all these backdoors, going around the rules, angry family members wanting someone to die not to end his pain, but just to get rid of him.
And again, I strongly disagree with euthanasia. No one's life should be linked to someone's else decision, or his own, questionable decision.[/QUOTE]
What if he IS sure though and in a fit state of mind to make the decision? Then surely it is cruel to let him suffer?
[QUOTE=Simples;30178963]But the thing is, if you have been in a coma for years, how will people know you want to die?[/QUOTE]
Well, what about people already in comas? Also, if it were to be legalized it should be stated on the census whether or not a patient would want it if they were unable to communicate.
if young people want to go to asia I think it should be allowed
[QUOTE=Nexosz;30179188]I mean, creating a legit way to make someone die? Imagine all these backdoors, going around the rules, angry family members wanting someone to die not to end his pain, but just to get rid of him.[/QUOTE]
The general idea of euthanasia is that it is the one suffering who makes the decision. If someone's comatose it's generally their next of kin who decide whether or not to let them die after a period of time anyway.
[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euthanasia_Coaster[/url]
[img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a4/Euthanasia_Coaster_at_HUMAN%2B.jpg[/img]
Good way to go... :v:
[QUOTE=DrLuke;30179127]Euthanasia will be abused. I think it shouldn't be allowed.
By abuse I mean that doctors will administer patients some poison and afterwards say "It was their will", as it's happening in the netherlands.[/QUOTE]
I'm pretty sure what is used to euthanise someone is a chemical anyway.
I think so, if the life is beyond repair then euthanasia should be legal. My dog was put down yesterday because she had too many health problems, was blind, deaf and losing her sense of smell and was at the ripe old age of 13. If a human suffers a similar situation were the quality of life is far too low and unable to be cured then I agree with euthanasia.
People breaking my fucking automerge
[editline]1st June 2011[/editline]
FUCKING DAMNIT
If it's legal for a dog why not a human? I mean, if someone has terminal cancer and they are [B]GOING[/B] to die why should the family get too attached. The family would get used to seeing that family member in that state, the "lifeless in bed" state. Hence, when that person does actually die to the natural causes the family would take it much more harshly as if they would euthanize at an earlier time.
I'd say make euthanisation easier for suffering elderly.
There's a couple good reasons to not be completely for it, including the fact doctors don't want to do it.
If I get told I have like a week left to live I'm gonna spend half of that week finding and organising the best way to die (without anyone knowing of course).
Why put yourself down with a chemical when you could snort gratuitous quantities of coke then dive out of a plane naked while aiming to fall in a woodchipper (or something equally as extravagant)? I want my death to be the most awesome thing I do in (or rather at the end of) my life.
But yeah, euthanasia should be legal.
Yes.
My cousin was euthanized several years ago, she had a brain tumour and wasn't going to last much longer. She didn't see a point in having to suffer so much in her last few weeks only to end up dead anyway. I can understand her decision and I fully supported it when the time came. (This was in the Netherlands.)
I think in case of terminal illnesses it should be allowed, but I do believe there should be very strict rules in place. I also think that there should be a witness and/or maybe a document they have to sign agreeing to it.
[QUOTE=rieda1589;30179393][url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euthanasia_Coaster[/url]
[img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a4/Euthanasia_Coaster_at_HUMAN%2B.jpg[/img]
Good way to go... :v:[/QUOTE]
That's actually a pretty good idea... A bit weird, but I see something really good behind it.
Sorry, you need to Log In to post a reply to this thread.