Euthanasia

[Ganyu]

Euthanasia is defined as the practice of ending a life prematurely in order to end pain and suffering. The process is also sometimes called Mercy Killing. Euthanasia can fall into several categories. Voluntary Euthanasia is carried out with the permission of the person whose life is taken. Involuntary euthanasia is carried out without permission, such as in the case of a criminal execution. Voluntary euthanasia is typically performed when a person is suffering from a terminal illness and is in great pain. When the patient performs this procedure with the help of a doctor, the term assisted suicide is often used. This practice is legal in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxemburg. It is also legal in the state of Oregon, Washington and Montana. Passive euthanasia is carried out by terminating a medication that is keeping a patient alive or not performing a life-saving procedure. Active euthanasia involves the administration of a lethal drug or otherwise actively ending the life.

Should euthanasia be legalized, or not? Should it be up to the patient, and/or the doctor, and/or the patient's family, to decide? Is euthanasia considered suicide? If a doctor carries out euthanasia for the patient, are they considered to be a killer or a murderer? Should they be charged for 'aiding'?

[Corey]

I think it should be 100% up to the person whether they want to end their life or not (if they have terminal illness). If the person is unable to decide (mentally ill, coma, etc), then their next of kin should decide, and in the off chance that there are no/no contactable next of kin, then a doctor should decide.

Though, I'm against involuntary euthanasia, such as sentencing criminals to death. Life is a human right and should be denied to no one for any reason whatsoever, and I think that is all that needs to be said about that!

[Caite-chan]

Assisted Suicide: I feel that if a person wants to end their life because they have an untreatable illness they should be allowed too. I'm not sure how many of you know of Jack Kevorkian aka Dr. Death but he was very well known for Assisted Suicides. It just doesn't make sense to live if all you are going to do is suffer with whatever it is you may have. If you want to take your own life fine you should have every right to.

Involuntary Euthanasia: This is where I have to disagree with Corey on this one. Especially with the "Life is a human right and should be denied to no one for any reason whatsoever." That's true BUT they should have thought of that before they went and killed someone. They already denied someone the right to live by killing them for no reason what so ever. We wouldn't have to kill the criminals if the criminals didn't kill innocent people in the first place.

[Ganyu]

I am pro-euthanasia for people who wish to end their lives. I find it absurd that doctors can be charged, in some countries like Britain, for assisted suicide. I mean if the patient did not consent and was unwilling, then by all means label the doctor as a murderer. But if the patient themselves gave the green light, why does the doctor have to be penalized for helping someone in suffering and misery? (I don't even find any logic in making suicide illegal. What are they going to do? Execute a corpse?)

As for involuntary euthanasia, I believe it falls into the same gray area as whether the death penalty should be abolished. IMHO, I think euthanasia is a merciful and less barbaric method of execution as not only is the executioner saved from the strain and guilt of having to kill people, but it's painless for the criminal (and therefore more humane).

I can completely understand people who are against euthanasia especially if they had to make that decision for family members and were unable to let their kin die. My family has been through that before; my grandmother asked to be euthanized after a week in hospital (I guess it was easy for her to make up her mind, given that she was close to 90). But I think it's a matter of respecting individual choice and letting go/moving on.

[ray_quazaa]

My short answer to a complicated problem comes down to philosophy:

Is suicide ever allowed? Is there honorable suicide? Is suicide illegal?

For me, living is pain, and life is hard. The death penalty to me is a way to justify one's revenge and the act of living is already pain in itself. Death is a shortcut and is a crime, even taking one's own life.

Perhaps in my idealistic self, I don't really support the ideas of assisted suicide. But if the question is "Should society be making those decisions," I draw the line with a resounding "No." I think the penalties for faking assisted suicides should be extremely high (more so than just 'murder in the second degree or manslaughter,") but I think it's a personal decision, not a state decision.

[SassySnivy]

Sorry Corey, but I'm going to be the Devil's Advocate here and pick apart a piece of your argument.

Though, I'm against involuntary euthanasia, such as sentencing criminals to death. Life is a human right and should be denied to no one for any reason whatsoever, and I think that is all that needs to be said about that!

If the person is unable to decide (mentally ill, coma, etc), then their next of kin should decide, and in the off chance that there are no/no contactable next of kin, then a doctor should decide.
You have two things that contradict each other quite heavily. I mean no ill will, however. I'm just curious as to your response. Corey

[Pokemon Trainer Sarah]

I think people should be able to choose when they want to die. Especially if they are terminally ill. My grandparents were telling me the other day that in Holland, assisted suicide is allowed but two doctors and one "layperson" get to decide on an individual case. The doctors pretty much always agree as long as the person is terminal/suffering, while the layperson almost always disagrees. You only need 2/3 yes votes to go ahead though. There is now controversy because the laypeople feel their vote is never counted as the doctors generally side together. Either way, I don't see why it's anybody else's business when someone wants to die. No one else can know what kind of suffering they're going through, and it's their own life. Why should anyone else get to control that? I know I would much rather die than live in an aged care home, for example. Especially if I had dementia or something. If you don't even know who you are or what's going on, then what's the point?

For people who are incapacitated, I think you need to assume they don't wish to die. I don't think it's right for family or next of kin or anyone else to decide that. People would need to have prewritten agreements like "if I am in a coma for x years I wish to die" or "if I am braindead I wish to die" etc. Like "Do Not Resuscitate" orders. Unless they have one, you have to assume they want to live and you need to keep them alive. It also prevents any issues arising from some family wanting it done and others not wanting it done or family wanting them to die so they get their inheritance or whatever.

As for the death penalty for crimes... Practically, it makes much more sense than wasting money keeping those people alive for so many years. But I don't think it's really right to kill other people. When it comes down to it, it's murder as well. If a criminal kills someone's wife, and then that someone goes and kills the criminal, they're still going to be charged with murder. So how come the justice system/government/whatever is allowed to kill someone and it isn't murder? It doesn't really make sense. I also feel like spending a life sentence in jail is worse than death. I know if someone performed a crime against me, I would want them to suffer for a long time. :P

[Corey]

Sorry Corey, but I'm going to be the Devil's Advocate here and pick apart a piece of your argument.


You have two things that contradict each other quite heavily. I mean no ill will, however. I'm just curious as to your response. Corey

Someone who is incapacitated can't decide for themselves. For example, think about someone on life support who is predicted to never recover/awake and has no official will nor written statement regarding what to do. Clearly they can't decide, so it'd be up to their family to decide, and if no family are contactable, then it can only lie with a doctor. Some people wish to keep their family on life support, while others might wish for them to just be taken off. Assisted suicide is different, as the person of concern must be mentally competent or terminally ill. Families who choose to take their loved one off of life support don't do it with vengeance.

Choosing to end your life is very different from it being taken against your will. I'm against the death penalty, no matter what the crime. Like Sarah said, it's murder in itself. If someone were to kill someone I loved dearly, then seeking the death penalty would make me feel like I was no better than the criminal. Everyone has the right to life, and those who take other lives deserved to be imprisoned for a very long time, but I don't think anyone deserves to die. And it should be noted that (in America, at least) the purpose of prison is not for punishment, but for rehabilitation, so criminals can be introduced back into society as productive members. The death penalty is punishment, so it doesn't really make sense with the purpose of prison in mind. Lastly, I also agree with Sarah when she says life in prison would be worse than death.

And, yes, I know you weren't attacking me personally with malicious intent. :) It's nothing more a difference in opinion, and it'd be rather childish to think of someone negatively because their opinion is different than your own. :v

[SassySnivy]

Hahah, thanks for taking it maturely. Of course, I had no doubts. And it wasn't necessarily a differing opinion more so than me seeing a big flaw in your argument that kinda seemed to hurt said argument. I thought it would be best to help you to "patch up the hole" so to speak. x]