Assisted suicide

[Sarniaroses]

Some UK citizens have taken the one way trip to the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland where they are assisted to take their own lives. I am of the opinion that if one is terminally ill, with no hope of recovery, one should be permitted to be assisted to die if one wishes.

What do others think?

 

[keith99]

I want to be able to make that decision if needed. It is entirely possible that in a few more decades I will be in a condition where pain is all I have to look forward to.

 

[Belk]

Some UK citizens have taken the one way trip to the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland where they are assisted to take their own lives. I am of the opinion that if one is terminally ill, with no hope of recovery, one should be permitted to be assisted to die if one wishes.

What do others think?

As someone who has faced the prospect of living the rest of his life as a vegetable I wholeheartedly agree.

 

[jayem]

Physician-assisted suicide has been legal in Oregon since 1997, and a similar law went into effect in Washington state this year. The link is to a NEJM article on the Oregon experience. PAS isn't frequently used. From 1997 to 2007, only 341 patients committed suicide with a physician's assistance. The law requires another physician's concurrence, but a psychiatric evaluation is not required, and few patients apparently receive it. The authors do say that the law has been associated with an overall improvement in palliative care in Oregon.

I work in health care, and it's not something I would be comfortable doing personally. But I support having the option available, and would refer a patient who requests it to someone who could provide that service.

NEJM -- Physician-Assisted Death -- From Oregon to Washington State

BTW: This isn't euthanasia. The physician only prescribes a lethal dose of medication, which the patient must take on his own. The law doesn't address patients who are so disabled that they can't take their own medicine.

 

[keith99]

Physician-assisted suicide has been legal in Oregon since 1997, and a similar law went into effect in Washington state this year. The link is to a NEJM article on the Oregon experience. PAS isn't frequently used. From 1997 to 2007, only 341 patients committed suicide with a physician's assistance. The law requires another physician's concurrence, but a psychiatric evaluation is not required, and few patients apparently receive it. The authors do say that the law has been associated with an overall improvement in palliative care in Oregon.

I work in health care, and it's not something I would be comfortable doing personally. But I support having the option available, and would refer a patient who requests it to someone who could provide that service.

NEJM -- Physician-Assisted Death -- From Oregon to Washington State

BTW: This isn't euthanasia. The physician only prescribes a lethal dose of medication, which the patient must take on his own. The law doesn't address patients who are so disabled that they can't take their own medicine.

I totally understand your feelings. If I ever taks such an option I would strongly prefer that it is setup as a saline drip with a second linked in that needs to be opened and that it be my hand that opens it. Or any other method where it is I who 'flips the switch'. Not hubris or the like, just that I would prefer my death not be on anyones conscience as much as such is possible.

 

[Sitswithamouse]

For myself I would not choose it.
If others choose to have assisted euthanasia then it is their personal choice.

 

[Supernaut]

I don't like it but absolutely will not stand in someones way if they so choose to end their life.

 

[Wedjat]

As vehemently against suicide I am for emotional reasons, I am absolutely the opposite for physical ones. As Kieth said, if all someone has to look forward to is pain, the option absolutely needs to be there.

 

[lawtonfogle]

Some UK citizens have taken the one way trip to the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland where they are assisted to take their own lives. I am of the opinion that if one is terminally ill, with no hope of recovery, one should be permitted to be assisted to die if one wishes.

What do others think?

Define terminal illness. I can see someone arguing that since, last anyone checked, all people who are alive die, then we are all terminally ill. Maybe not the most convincing argument, but far worse arguments have been made and accepted in the past.

 

[rambot]

Given the excruciating pain (and incapacity) that some illnesses cause, I'm all for euthenasia provided clear directives are given from a coherent, conscious patient.

 

[david_x]

I feel that taking life is beyond what a human is able to judge.

 

[The Nihilist]

I feel that taking life is beyond what a human is able to judge.

So you also oppose capital punishment an military action?

 

[david_x]

So you also oppose capital punishment an military action?

Does one man decide these things?

 

[The Nihilist]

Does one man decide these things?

If some sort of panel of doctors were required for euthanasia, would you be more comfortable with it?

 

[david_x]

If some sort of panel of doctors were required for euthanasia, would you be more comfortable with it?

No, the last thing we need is more people in control of life and death. Actually, just death.

 

[Sarniaroses]

I hope I would have the courage to physically end the suffering of a close relative if they were dying and in unrelieved pain.

 

[The Nihilist]

No, the last thing we need is more people in control of life and death. Actually, just death.

So why are you comfortable with war and the death penalty, but not with euthanasia? Because clearly it's not the number of people involved in the decision making process.

 

[david_x]

So why are you comfortable with war and the death penalty, but not with euthanasia? Because clearly it's not the number of people involved in the decision making process.

Well, i'm against a death penalty for 1. War is an evil that will always be with us, I don't so much feel comfortable around it as I don't fight back against its presence.