Thoughts on euthanasia

[Ravenshire]

I lost my Dad last week, who had been battling with cancer for 7 years (although it was pneumonia that took him in the end). Before it was clear his death was imminent, I had always been kinda passive on this issue, sort of agreeing with it but not having strong feelings.

As my Dad was getting weaker, he was starting to suffer, which was obviously very uspsetting for us. However, due to euthanasia being illegal in this country (United Kingdom), there was nothing the nurses could do other than give him painkillers and sedatives to calm him. This really woke me up to the issue of euthanasia, we were sitting in the hospital for pretty much a whole week witnessing him slowly getting weaker and in pain, and it made me so angry. I'm so angry he (and other people who have been through this) had to suffer and there was no way we could make it quick, just because it's against the religious beliefs of other people. I think it's so unfair, we don't put our pets through this when they are terminally ill and it shouldn't be any different for us.

I want to ask, how does the forum feel about euthanasia? Do you agree with it or not?

Also I can see a difference between suicide and euthanasia. To me suicide is giving up when there is still a future (I have sympathy, but it's not the same as euthanasia) while euthanasia is preventing pain and suffering when death is imminent anyway.

I watched my mom go through essentially the same thing. I can't agree strongly enough about it, no matter what you want to call it. Allowing the patient to decide when and how they will die once the death is unavoidable should be a protected right, not something to be fought over in court. Fuck the right to lifers and the others on the conservative right that argue against it. Suicide is legal in most jurisdictions. It's assisting that get's folks in trouble and usually just attending is enough to be considered assisting. Until the laws are changed, this will continue to be a rank injustice.

[Pyrrho]

Not only do I think euthanasia should be legal, I think suicide should be legal.  I think anyone should be allowed to kill themselves whenever they want, for whatever reason seems sufficient to them.  And I think that facilities for doing that should be provided.

Right now, my life is pretty good, but I know eventually things will go bad.  When they do, I plan on taking a trip to Switzerland if the laws do not change.

For those who would want to stop me, I say, FUCK YOU.  It is my life, not yours.  As far as I am concerned, you may live and suffer if it pleases you to do so, but my life is mine.  Anyone who would try to stop me can fucking go to hell.  Frankly, I am ready to buy a gun and shoot any motherfucker who wants to try to stop me.  Hopefully, they will not die immediately from the gunshot wound, but will linger on for a week or two in agony, the motherfucking sons of bitches.

[IATIA]

Mostly yes with proper legislation - Reasons to allow euthanasia should be listed on the law, not subject to arbitrary decisions (after all, it's "us" making the kill right?) and conscious objection should be allowed for ethical/moral reasons.

In Texas, the only way to put one out of their misery is to shut down all life support.  This includes feeding.  If the patient cannot feed themselves, they will eventually starve to death.  How is that for humane politics.

[Ravenshire]

For or against, I think everyone should see "Who's Life is it Anyway?"

Released in 1981, it's the story of an artist who is permanently paralyzed and sues the hospital for the right to die.

[Dystopia]

Mostly yes with proper legislation - Reasons to allow euthanasia should be listed on the law, not subject to arbitrary decisions (after all, it's "us" making the kill right?) and conscious objection should be allowed for ethical/moral reasons.

In Texas, the only way to put one out of their misery is to shut down all life support.  This includes feeding.  If the patient cannot feed themselves, they will eventually starve to death.  How is that for humane politics.

How is this relevant for my quote?

[IATIA]

Mostly yes with proper legislation - Reasons to allow euthanasia should be listed on the law, not subject to arbitrary decisions (after all, it's "us" making the kill right?) and conscious objection should be allowed for ethical/moral reasons.

In Texas, the only way to put one out of their misery is to shut down all life support.  This includes feeding.  If the patient cannot feed themselves, they will eventually starve to death.  How is that for humane politics.

How is this relevant for my quote?

Sorry, yours was just picked at random out of the ones suggesting the legislature would be able to set up laws for euthanasia.  With politics it would be tough enough, but with the christians in politics and the voting masses, the end result is what I stated.  Several states have the same type of laws.  Look what happened to Dr. 'Euthanasia'.  There will never be proper legislation as long as the christians are the majority.

[Longhorn]

Absolutely agree. Forcing somebody to suffer needlessly for the sake of your personal beliefs is sick and nobody should be denied the power to decide over their own life.

I'm so sorry about your dad, Yeauxleaux. How are you doing?

[SteelCurtain]

YL, I am so sorry for the loss of your father. :hugs:

Here in the states, only the most progressive states have a "Death with Dignity Act" which provides for end of life care that includes assisted suicide.

Tennessee is debating it in the state congress soon. I expect it to get roundly defeated in favor of debating more important topics, like whether to make the Bible the state book.

[Aoi Magi]

I don't understand how this can be up for debate anywhere. Euthanasia is nothing like suicide, in most cases it is the most humane thing to do, and it is only used as a last resort after expert consultations.

[robvalue]

I'm very sorry for what you and your father have been through.

Yes, I totally support Euthenasia. We're really scared of it in the UK it seems, with the usual slippery slope bullcrap arguments. Of course it would have to be implemented carefully and properly. Opponents of it seem to think we'll just legalise murder and hand everyone a shotgun.

I always say, this is the one way animals actually get better treatment than humans. No one should be able to force you to live through misery and pain, it's sick. Put those pro lifers in the shoes of the person begging to die for 5 minutes and they'd change their tune. Pro life in this case isn't about the right to life, it's about the right to tell other people that they have to live.