Euthanasia, Where Do You Stand?

**Agrippa** · Saturday, March 26th, 2005

A fully recovery is highly improbable and any real reaction of HER PERSON, her personality, is highly unlikely as well, in fact almost impossible.

But just assume:

There are conflicting opinions on that; her father's family say she is aware of her surroundings and has attempted to communicate with them, but her husband has disallowed anything that could further stimulate her senses.

Would that be better? That would mean she would have the "locked in syndrome" situation and thats of course one of the worst things which can happen if you are a humn.

If I would be in this situation, I would've wanted to die 15 years ago.
But thats not the case with her, since she's brain dead of course.

**Torn_Humana** · Saturday, March 26th, 2005

Originally Posted by Rhydderch

There are conflicting opinions on that; her father's family say she is aware of her surroundings and has attempted to communicate with them, but her husband has disallowed anything that could further stimulate her senses.
The whole surrounding circumstances are very suspicious, and her friend has claimed that she said things earlier in life which would very much indicate that she wouldn't want to be killed if ever in such a situation.

There is not even any degree of certainty over whether she could recover, there is evidence that she could greatly improve if rehabilitated.

If you are discussing the Florida case, the cortex of her brain is gone.

**Blutwölfin** · Monday, February 12th, 2007

A terminally-ill woman will today begin a ground-breaking legal bid to force doctors to let her die.

Kelly Taylor, 30, who has been given less than a year to live, will argue that medics are breaching human rights laws by refusing to provide treatment which will lead to her death.

She is attempting to compel doctors to vastly increase her morphine dose to sedate her into a coma-like state. The morphine alone could kill Mrs Taylor, who is frail and endures constant pain.

more

What's your opinion on that topic? Should people have the right to decide when and how they will die? Should others -- their families, their doctors, the government -- be able to decide for them? Is euthanasia -- the supposedly merciful killing of the terminally ill -- an act of kindness prompted by a sense of mercy and respect for an individual's wishes? Or is it an act of murder and a violation of the Hippocratic oath? Please take the poll and elaborate on your choice!

**Æmeric** · Monday, February 12th, 2007

Individuals should have the right to refuse medical treatment... even if that decision will lead to death. And I don't see the harm in administering large amounts of painkillers to the terminally ill, for the treatment of pain if they want it and understand the risks, even if it results in death. But I don't think doctors should administer drugs with the intent to kill. At the same time they shouldn't pro-long the lives of the terminally ill, if it only results in pain & hospitalization. One of the problems with the US healthcare system is that we pro-long the lives of the serious ill, without curing them.

The problem with euthanasia is that if it is legalized we run the risk of having doctors or the government deciding when we should die. Many of those espousing euthanasia also approve of abortion-on-demand, embryonic stem cell research, basically the anti-life crowd.

Dutch Dennis · Tuesday, February 13th, 2007

I am VERY strongly in favour of legalisation of voluntary, I repeat VOLUNTARY, euthanasia. Early in 2006 I had an uncle become terminally ill with cancer. Early on it seemed that he stood a chance to beat it, and the treatment that he had resulted in him having his stomach removed and taking a chemo. Needless to say, the chemo 'cure' turned out to be worse than the disease.

When the cancer didn't disappear as planned my uncle chose voluntary euthanasia, which is legal here in the Netherlands. It basically involved a doctor using a drug-induced coma to accellerate the metabolism of the body without adding any IV fluids or food. So it results in an accellerated shut down of the body's basic functions, and eventually death.

My uncle had no fear of it, he considered it a welcome release. We, family and friends, had the chance to say our goodbyes whilst he was still comparatively healthy and coherent. Instead of being totally wasted away and on the brink of death as would normally be the case.

Therefore, I am in total and complete support of VOLUNTARY euthanasia for the terminally ill.

**VilhelMina** · Friday, March 16th, 2007

Death is a human right. Our attutude towards it is illogical. At least in that we claim to value life so highly that we will actually force it upon those who do not wish it.

The fundies will fight over assisted suicide. Drooling over the idea that only the terminally ill should have the right to die.

But, any suicide by a healthy human is no biggie.

Go figure.

**Atlas** · Friday, March 16th, 2007

In such extreme cases, if the person can't handle his life anymore and actually wish to die rather than live painfully, then yes, I support voluntary euthanasia. There was quite a touching book about a pretty decent looking and smart young french guy who became totally paralized and blind after a car crash... "I ask you the right to die" which he had asked to his mother for years on his hospital bed, before his doctor finally accomplished his last wish. Trial of course but the doctor goes lightly as for I can remember.

Those who oppose this should live that way for a month, and have in mind than it will be their existence for the next 50 years or so. Think about it...