Interesting question, I think it's practiced already, way more than we are aware of. It is a difficult area to regulate fully to cover every situation I think.
Right, and it's an ethical question too... when do we know it's the wish/solution that suits any situation the best? And yes, who to decide? All this said, I do support it.
My doctor gives any patient over the age of 75 the opportunity to lodge a form stating their preferences about sustaining life artificially. If that were to become common practice it would go a long way toward removing the uncertainty.
Still I believe you cannot cover every situation where it might come up, which means other criteria has to be added into the pool, and that opens the ethical discussion about who to decide what is life, and who to decide.
It is legal some places. However I just don't think we can cover every area, and as such there still we be assistance given that will be in the grey area, and therefore also examp,es of bad choices. Good choices will be by far the most though. Hmm.
Both Washington State and Oregon State have legalized euthanasia (assisted suicide). As far as I know, the system of checks and balance they set up is working.
This post was edited by Harry at March 13, 2017 4:39 PM MDT
What if someone wants to die because of a disease they know will turn them into a vegetable, but at a time where they still are fully capable by minds? Switzerland is the only possibility I know and as far as I know not without having it going to a court first. I might be wrong though.
Yes, it should be permitted. One reason why I said you should make out your will in your early 60's. I have it in mine to pull the plug or whatever means can be used to put me down rather than lay there like a vegetable. It should be monitored in the hospital and done by the Physician present upon request in my will when there is no other alternative. Best to just go than be a burden on anyone.
Good point. I've also left a duly notarised document with my doctor authorising the same thing. Like you, there's no way I'd want to continue in a semi-vegetative state.
Yes. When you've watched someone you love die a slow painful death from something that can't be cured, you understand why assisted suicide should be legal. There is nothing more important in life than allowing someone the opportunity of personal choice & death with dignity, if that is what they want.
It's probably been on the cards since suicide was taken off the list of crimes, back in the day. I like Rooster's specification that it should be done in a hospital under the care of a doctor. r Hard on the doc, of course.
If I don't need permission to start a life, and if its legal to abort another, I don't see why I should need permission to end mine. Its my business.
This post was edited by Benedict Arnold at March 13, 2017 5:05 PM MDT
Benedict Arnold 