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Originally Posted by AOII Angel
As a physician, I am completely opposed to physician assisted suicide but completely supportive of withholding any artificial measures to prolong life if requested by the patient or power of attorney. Having a physician assist in a suicide is asking him/her to disregard the first tenant of medicine "First do no harm."
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I would find it more harmful to allow that person to remain in pain and further deteriorate.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by AKA_Monet
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Forever SoCalian
Posts: 4,238
Let me ask you all this question:
Have you EVER "euthanized" ANYTHING beyond a bug yourself? Particularly, a mammal?
If you have, then you should know with that comes responsibilities, that are sometimes difficult to swallow. You cannot do it with cruel intentions and malice and it must always be done with compassion...
Extending it to humans is difficult--especially if one has never seen another human die albeit slowly, painfully or quickly. Then, it is tough to imagine modern burial techniques--i.e. one must still prep the body even if it is to be cremated.
The best anyone can do is not only have a DNR, no code (because my grandmother's was ignored prolonging her painful existence), but also a Physician's Health Directive, POLST form and a living will and trust.
I personally do NOT want any healthcare worker injecting me with any lethal injections of anything even if I am from the Borg Collective... If I die naturally, with minimal pain because of the morphine drip, then hey, K.I.M.
But healthcare worker assisted suicide no matter what the cause--unrealistic in a "civilized society"... We know we can do better. There are some fine scientists working on the concepts of pain management, chronic diseases of the aging, and improvement of the quality of life. We MUST persuade people that we are better and we will improve health and wellness by all means necessary!
Dr. AKA_Monet
Ariafya LLC
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And yes, I have euthanized many animals from rodents to dogs and cats to horses. While it is sad, watching the peace come over their face as they're released from their pain is more powerful than the grief.
I would still support any human to have the right to die. No one should be able to tell you that you can't end your suffering.
In many ways, I find our treatment of animals more humane than our treatment of other humans.
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