Doctor/Medical Assisted Suicide

[aggieAXO]

I would not "make" someone else do it. I suspect there are physicians out there that are not opposed to helping people but b/c it is illegal they cannot. The law needs to change. If you are against it then that is your perogative but do not interfere with my wishes.

[aggieAXO]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Aggie, by "vets" are you talking about veterinarians(sp)? Do you think the life and death of an animal is comparable to that of a human? I do not believe the average "vet" who is accustomed to performing euthenasia for dogs and cats would be so mentally and physically willing and able to assist in the passing of a human.

Splash, that makes sense for people who are mentally and physically capable of committing suicide with no assistance. However, assisted suicide is often applied to people who are not able to do that.

Yes, as veterinarians we deal with death on a daily basis. I obviously cannot speak for every vet but if the human was suffering and wanted me to help them along I would do it -if it were legal. I suspect there are physicians who help patients along but just can't document it as such. Suffering is suffering to me.

[DrPhil]

You all deal with the death of animals everyday. However, in a culture like that in North America where the "animals are divine spiritual beings" and "animals are people too" beliefs are the minority, I would question the mental health of a vet who TRULY believes that putting a bird "to sleep" is the same as putting a human "to sleep." That does not mean that some vets would not medically assist a suicide if need be. But, your post implied that the vet factor matters such that "a death is a death is a death" as though assisting with a person's death is automatically and always so easy and casual.

[aggieAXO]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

You all deal with the death of animals everyday. However, in a culture like that in North America where the "animals are divine spiritual beings" and "animals are people too" beliefs are the minority, I would question the mental health of a vet who TRULY believes that putting a bird "to sleep" is the same as putting a human "to sleep." That does not mean that some vets would not medically assist a suicide if need be. But, your post implied that the vet factor matters such that "a death is a death is a death" as though assisting with a person's death is automatically and always so easy and casual.

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Hmmm, I never said it was easy or casual. Even when I euthanize a cat or dog it is not easy for me. Obviously, you do not get what I am trying to say and so now I am crazy for what I believe-ok that is fine . I believe in relieving suffering-whether it be a bird or a human. I can at least speak to what I want and I will do so (the bird not so much). This is obviously a touchy subject and I did not come here to change people's minds I just wanted to present another side. I truly hope that assisted suicide is someday legal and those who chose to die can do so legally and peacefully.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by aggieAXO

I suppose vets see it differently than most people b/c we perform euthanasia everyday-and I thank the lord we can.

Originally Posted by aggieAXO

I have 2 very close friends that are vets and they are listed in my will as medical POA. They know my wishes and will help my family if the need shoudld arise. Having medical knowledge helps a great deal.

This is what I am responding to. If you were not implying what I was inferring, okay.

Originally Posted by aggieAXO

...so now I am crazy for what I believe-ok that is fine

I said I would question the mental health (I did not use "crazy") of a vet, in the North American culture, who truly believes that animals and humans are the same and therefore euthenasia on a cat is mentally (and even physically, depending) comparable to assisting with the passing of a human. If you do not fit in that category, I do not question your mental health (I did not use "crazy").

Now that the vet thing is out of the way, you can stop being defensive with me. I am not opposed to assisted suicide and I am not bothered that your will specifies what should be done with you.

[aggieAXO]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

This is what I am responding to. If you were not implying what I was inferring, okay.



I said I would question the mental health (I did not use "crazy") of a vet, in the North American culture, who truly believes that animals and humans are the same and therefore euthenasia on a cat is mentally (and even physically, depending) comparable to assisting with the passing of a human. If you do not fit in that category, I do not question your mental health (I did not use "crazy").

Now that the vet thing is out of the way, you can stop being defensive with me. I am not opposed to assisted suicide and I am not bothered that your will specifies what should be done with you.

DrPhil-
It's all good, sorry to come off defensive-hard to do come off any other way sometimes with posts I suppose-think it would be different one on one. I am a pretty easy going gal UNTIL you tell me what to do with my body-that includes abortion or death. Hey, I rescue opossums for a living so... being called crazy (which I know you did not do but probably were thinking-maybe) is ok (having 10-12 opossums in your bathtub for most of spring probably qualifies me for being mentally abnormal) I have a pretty good medical knowledge base and can understand what is going on (be it animal or human, which we are technically animals and suffer from some of the same diseases).

[aggieAXO]

well I tried to edit but it kicked me off-I suppose I don't rescue opossums for a living but it is my passion, as is most wildlife. I pay for it by doing ER work.

[AOII Angel]

You as a vet have the ability to end your own life should it come to that. You have to euthanize animals because they are unable to commit suicide. There is no comparison between veterinary and human medicine. The ethics are completely different.

[aggieAXO]

But why should you have to be in the medical profession (vet or otherwise) in order to end your own life??? People are going to question this more and more-human Drs will need to face it sooner or later. People will want control over their own lives for many reasons. It is only a matter of time.

[AOII Angel]

You don't. Humans have been ending their lives painlessly for millennia without involving physicians.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

There is no comparison between veterinary and human medicine. The ethics are completely different.

Thank you.

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

You don't. Humans have been ending their lives painlessly for millennia without involving physicians.

Exactly. This topic is about assisted suicide.

[aggieAXO]

But, I suspect their are many that don't (this is in response to AOPii). Some end up using a shot gun. I was reading the responses to the Tony Scott suicide thread-of course it is assumed that he commited suicide- jumping off a bridge b/c of the terminal dz he was just dx with(brain cancer). I read several of the responses to the article-one from a law enforcment gentleman particularly caught my eye-he said he had been at MANY horrific suicide scenes b/c of the same disease (brain cancer). Why does it have to be this way?? Why does ending your own life have to be a dirty/secretive/messy deed??

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Thank you.



Exactly. This topic is about assisted suicide.

And I don't feel that patients need the assistance of a physician. It put's physicians in a bad position that is essentially unnecessary in the grand scheme of suicide. It's not appropriate in my opinion and is unethical.

[aggieAXO]

People will need ASSISTANCE b/c they don't have access to the type of drugs that I or an MD does.

[aggieAXO]

Well, it is unethical and inappropriate to not carry out a patients wishes IMO.