Should Euthanasia be allowed?

[moe.ron]

Ladies and gentlemen, your friday controversial issue. Discuss among yourself in a dignified matter please.

[kddani]

yep, after seeing my grandfather suffer before he died. Though he didn't have a DNR order, the decision was up to my mom and her brother, they chose not to sustain life support after his last stroke that left him a total vegetable, with no hope. As terrible as it was to watch him die, he had already suffered so much.

If you are dependant on dyalysis to survive and decide to quit taking it, is that like Euthanasia? My great grandfather did that a couple of years ago. He was 82, had been on dyalysis for 4 years (every other day) and decided he'd had enough.

[sageofages]

Do we define between passive vs active Euthanasia?

Passive....DNR orders, stopping dialysis, removal of life support and letting nature take its course, end of feeding support, etc

Active....you get an overdose to end it all.


What about the debate in the Netherlands now about Euthanasia for those with no voice. IE, profound disabled infants, etc.


Just adding to the discussion...

[ZTAngel]

Yes, Euthanasia should be legal.

I watched my boyfriend's father die an incredibly painful death. He had sarcoma that eventually affected his whole body. He had tumors in his stomach and bowels that kept him from being able to eat more than a bite of food for a month prior to his passing. He was on oxycontin and that didn't even really help to reduce the pain. I know that he didn't want his children to see him that way. His death was not a peaceful one either; he didn't just close his eyes and pass on. I'll spare the gory details but my poor boyfriend had to watch his father die in agony and I know it will haunt him forever.

His father had known for 2 years that he was terminally ill. If he wanted to go peacefully by using euthanasia, I would've fully supported his decision. Nobody should have to live their last few weeks or moments of life in terrible pain.

[PhiPsiRuss]

It should definitely be allowed for consenting adults.

That whole thing in the Netherlands is interesting. I don't know where I stand on it.

[valkyrie]

Yes.

[Rudey]

Euthanasia sounds like a ride in Disney World.

Who wants to take a ride on Euthanasia kids?

-Rudey
--That's all

[Dionysus]

I'm torn.

The religious side of me says NO! It's God's decision on when he wants someone to die. Also, there are possibilities of miracles. I've witnessed a few.

The non-religious side of me says YES! I've also seen people suffer and never heal, like my late-aunt with brain cancer. If you and your loved ones don't want to suffer anymore, I think they have the right to be euthanized.

[RUgreek]

Thanks moe, I was wondering when someone was going to hit this one up and take a break from abortions...

Euthanasia is mercy killing and whether assisted suicide is right. South park wouldn't touch it with a 40 foot pole, but I don't think anyone believes pain and suffering need to be endured for the sake of keeping someone alive.

I would support both the active and passive laws for euthanasia if they were ever instituted. The biggest caution is obviously active euthanasia. If someone wants to die and needs helps, good old Jack can come in and do his job. We need to make sure that they understand what they are doing and help them.

As for passive, it just sickens me that the woman down in Florida is still on life support after so many years being a vegetable. I think the husband is trying to end her suffering and the parents are clinging to some false hope she'll recover. Since the governor felt so inclined to step in and use legislative power to stop her from dying, maybe it's time they ste up and let the voters decide the issue.


RUgreek

[preciousjeni]

I don't even see how "passive" is euthanasia at all? That's just nature, right? I know I don't want to be revived or kept on life support if something serious happens to me.

My grandmother died in 2003 of alzheimer's and my great-aunt died the same year of cancer. Neither had any special treatments or anything, instead choosing to live out their lives at home and die in peace.

What I would love, if I were in that situation, is good painkillers if there's any pain. But, I'd want to die in peace - OUT of a hospital.

As far as active euthanasia...I can't say I'm, morally, in favor. (I'm also, morally, not in favor of abortion or capital punishment, for the record.)

[sageofages]

Originally posted by ZTAngel
Yes, Euthanasia should be legal.

I watched my boyfriend's father die an incredibly painful death. He had sarcoma that eventually affected his whole body. He had tumors in his stomach and bowels that kept him from being able to eat more than a bite of food for a month prior to his passing. He was on oxycontin and that didn't even really help to reduce the pain. I know that he didn't want his children to see him that way. His death was not a peaceful one either; he didn't just close his eyes and pass on. I'll spare the gory details but my poor boyfriend had to watch his father die in agony and I know it will haunt him forever.

His father had known for 2 years that he was terminally ill. If he wanted to go peacefully by using euthanasia, I would've fully supported his decision. Nobody should have to live their last few weeks or moments of life in terrible pain.

This sounds to me more like a case to argue for physician assisted suicide.

[Munchkin03]

Originally posted by sageofages
This sounds to me more like a case to argue for physician assisted suicide.

Which I also wholeheartedly support.

A few months ago, the NYTimes did an article about physician-assisted suicide in Oregon, where it has been made legal. Only a handful of people have actually gone through with it, but at least they have the option of not dying an agonizing death.