RKMBs Forums .::Important::. Deep Topics euthanaisa

spelled it right? notta clue. not the point. it seems to be an issue that is more and more evolving into a real, legal debate -- the ability to allow others to kill themselves, if they are in a situation that they'd die anyway.

should you, or your parents, or your doctors be given control over a life? to be allowed to end it, if, say, you had a terminal illness, and were destined to die within weeks?

and, if so, is there a statute of limitations? do you have to be atleast a certain age? or have to die within a certain period of time?

If someone wants to die because their in too much pain, they should be able to. If someone in your care is in agony and they want to die, there's no reason to keep them going.

I never understood the "life is precious" argument being used to prolong agony.

I've actually given this some thought, personally.

I have Multiple Sclerosis. I just got over a rough 15-month period that had me in a wheelchair and unable to transfer on my own for about three months last summer. While I've recovered, enough to go back to work 30 hr.s a week, there's still the spectre of permanent disability that's very real for me... and there's no telling how soon, or how bad.

If/When I get to the point I can't take care of myself, or enjoy my life, I at least want the dignity of controlling my own fate.

Just my 2 cents.

Fair enough, too.

We turned the life support off my mum. It seemed the right thing to do in the circumstances. If she'd been conscious, I think she'd have agreed with the decision.

That's why I'm a supporter of making one's wishes known, IN WRITING, before it gets to the point when it's out of your hands, and in the hands of doctors or family members too emotional to make that decision for you.

Living Wills and "Do Not Resuscitate" orders are fine and good, but euthanasia is still frowned upon. We're supposed to live well, that's what everybody wants. Why can't we choose to die well? Why do we have to waste away after life's lost its purpose? MS won't kill me until long after it's taken the things I treasure away from me. But it's morally and legally wrong if I want to check out on my own terms? Fuck that-- I'D rather be wrong and at peace, than "right" and a lump of flesh in a chair someone else has to do everything for.

I'm a fence sitter on this one. While dying with dignity has its appeal, letting someone else have control over whether you live or die isn't always a good idea. There are cases in countries where euthaniasia is legal where the deceased may not have been as willing as some would have you believe.

How can you tell if they're not? If they are capable of communicating a decision, you'd know.

Coming from the State (not to mention the same frickin' county) where the one person who made Euthanasia a national story (i.e. Dr. Death. i.e. Dr. Jack Kevorkian) for the longest time...I've heard more about this than any of you (unless you've had first hand experience or find this kind of thing fascinating) probably have.

If you, and I mean you specificially, feel so strongly about having the right to die at your choosing...then get a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) Order and make sure that your family knows about it. If you've got a will/living will, put your wishes in there. And make sure your family/loved ones know your wishes. Hell, give them Power of Attorney if you have to...but make sure you've got as many bases covered as possible. Otherwise, I think that other family members/loved ones do have the right to make decisions for you.

Ideally, no one should contradict your wishes when it comes to pain and suffering but I know that's a gray area and we obviously do not live in a perfect world.