Human euthanasia

[Randy89]

I always thought human euthanasia was wrong, but I think in a case like this I think it may be the best thing to do.

I feel so sorry for this baby. I never new things like this happened.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ssFda00gko

 

[keith99]

I see the very real possibility that within my lifetime we can extend a life gone cold, a life with nothing left to do, but plenty of pain and suffering if prolonged.

That's why I keep my papers in order.

 

[mpok1519]

its a touchy topic; but, I believe, it should be all based upon the decision of the one in charge of their own life....who that is, is up to the individual....which might change at any given moment.

which is why its a touchy topic.

 

[Ryal Kane]

Harlequin-type ichthyosis is a horrible birth defect, which children very seldom survive, though there are cases of some making it to adulthood, depending on severity. It's a genetic mutation that causes skin to grow at a massively accelerated rate, causing breakages.


Personally I support euthanasia for the terminally ill but I'm more cautious about it's use for children with birth defects. It has to be treated very carefully, weighed up against quality of life and potential medical advances.

 

[Autumnleaf]

This debate astounds me. Many people have no trouble saying a perfectly fine baby in a pregnancy woman can be killed at any time before it is born but killing a damaged person like the one above is a very touchy subject. Is the fantastic voyage down the birth canal so majestic?

 

[mpok1519]

its all touchy.

 

[Isambard]

This debate astounds me. Many people have no trouble saying a perfectly fine baby in a pregnancy woman can be killed at any time before it is born but killing a damaged person like the one above is a very touchy subject. Is the fantastic voyage down the birth canal so majestic?

I think this is the first time you've made a good point.

 

[mpok1519]

one might argue that abortion of an unborn fetus is more ethical than euthanizing a person with comprehensive mental cognition.

Ie; killing cellular tissue without any memories, thoughts, emotions, or intellegence, vs killing one with all of those things.

So, perhaps euthanasia is the lesser of the two evils.

 

[Isambard]

one might argue that abortion of an unborn fetus is more ethical than euthanizing a person with comprehensive mental cognition.

Ie; killing cellular tissue without any memories, thoughts, emotions, or intellegence, vs killing one with all of those things.

So, perhaps euthanasia is the lesser of the two evils.

You can strip that down.

Killing those with low IQ is seen as immoral by society
Killing the emotionally retarded is seen as immoral by society
Killing those with long-term and short-term memory deficiency is seen as immoral by society

Thoughts then seems to be the only difference between a fetus and deformed newborn. The problem of course is that most mammels display thoughts as well, yet society doesnt feel killing them is immoral. Such as i the case of putting cats and dogs to sleep, or hooking a chimps brain to a car battery.

So in this case, I find myself oddly agreeing with Autumleaf. If killing unborn fetus' is okay, then there is no real arguement agaisnt euthanizing deformed, or disabled babies.

 

[clarksided]

If an adult with a terminal illness wishes to die before they're nothing but a shell of themselves who does nothing but suffer all day, then yeah, they should have that option.

 

[Paulos23]

If killing unborn fetus' is okay, then there is no real argument against euthanizing deformed, or disabled babies.

Yup, those are good Atheist values there.

But I agree with mpok1519, this is a touchy subject and should be approached with all the facts. It is, imo, not a necessity but a choice for the very ill. I see no reason to lengthen the life of someone that is going to suffer for the rest of theirs, but it should be their choice if they can make it.

 

[Isambard]

Yup, those are good Atheist values there.

But I agree with mpok1519, this is a touchy subject and should be approached with all the facts. It is, imo, not a necessity but a choice for the very ill. I see no reason to lengthen the life of someone that is going to suffer for the rest of theirs, but it should be their choice if they can make it.

Since when did atheism (note the non-capitalized, lower case a) mean anything other than disbelief in a God, or gods? Or are you confusing atheism with humanism, a belief system that I do not hold?

That said, if I am wrong, then please feel free to demonstrate where my logic errs.

 

[cantata]

So in this case, I find myself oddly agreeing with Autumleaf. If killing unborn fetus' is okay, then there is no real arguement agaisnt euthanizing deformed, or disabled babies.

No, indeed there isn't.

Killing babies in general is bad news because people will fear for their babies. If you permitted just anyone to kill deformed or disabled babies, there would be a similar problem. If you permit doctors to kill deformed or disabled babies at the explicit request of those babies' parents, no problem at all. No one feels that their beloved little lamb is going to be murdered in the night, because explicit permission is required - so no hysteria, and no double standard for pre- and post-birth human beings.

 

[Isambard]

No, indeed there isn't.

Killing babies in general is bad news because people will fear for their babies. If you permitted just anyone to kill deformed or disabled babies, there would be a similar problem. If you permit doctors to kill deformed or disabled babies at the explicit request of those babies' parents, no problem at all. No one feels that their beloved little lamb is going to be murdered in the night, because explicit permission is required - so no hysteria, and no double standard for pre- and post-birth human beings.

Good point.

 

[Paulos23]

Since when did atheism (note the non-capitalized, lower case a) mean anything other than disbelief in a God, or gods? Or are you confusing atheism with humanism, a belief system that I do not hold?

That said, if I am wrong, then please feel free to demonstrate where my logic errs.

Sorry, I saw your last statement and mentally added the next line to it that I usually see about how that is a Atheist moral value. Just trying to sarcastically bite it in the bud.

 

[Alexandrah]

Wow.

That baby definitely looks like the perfect creation of a loving God to me.

 

[Randy89]

Wow.

That baby definitely looks like the perfect creation of a loving God to me.

What do you define as perfect?
I am dyslexic so my spelling is not perfect but I know God loves me and that I am part of his creation.

 

[WatersMoon110]

No, indeed there isn't.

Killing babies in general is bad news because people will fear for their babies. If you permitted just anyone to kill deformed or disabled babies, there would be a similar problem. If you permit doctors to kill deformed or disabled babies at the explicit request of those babies' parents, no problem at all. No one feels that their beloved little lamb is going to be murdered in the night, because explicit permission is required - so no hysteria, and no double standard for pre- and post-birth human beings.

I agree.

I also think that adults should be free to legally choose to end their lives. It should not be illegal for a doctor to help end the life of terminally ill adult, who signs a legal document stating they want to die with dignity. And I'm okay with the family being allowed to make the decision to take someone off life support, if that person has no legal document stating otherwise.