Euthanasia

[Legolam]

I can't remember if this has been discussed here, but something I saw on the news the other day interested me.

A British man suffering from motor neurone disease went to Switzerland on Monday morning to commit assisted suicide, otherwise known as euthanasia, as he didn't have the strength to do it himself. The British media covered this (rather morbid really) and now his wife is being investigated to see if she broke any laws here in Britain, as it is illegal to help someone commit suicide here.

What are your views on assisted suicide?
Do you think the man's wife should be prosecuted?
Is the media wrong to cover this story?

For more information, here's the BBC report on the subject:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2680969.stm

[reem]

in my opinion, all forms of suicide should not be permitted.
i can understand why a person would want to end their life if it's really misrable, but neverrtheless, suicide is never a good answer.
anyone who helps a person commit suicide is an accomplice in murder.
this sounds pretty harsh, i know. i really do sypathise with the man and his familly. it's not easy to go on in life like that. but people should not be allowed to make such decissions themselves.
reem

[FoolOfATook]

but people should not be allowed to make such decissions themselves.
That's one of those statements that I just have a hard time with- I don't really have a strong opinion about the issue, to be honest, but I can say that statements like that always make me kind of uneasy.

[Thorin]

Originally posted by reem
in my opinion, all forms of suicide should not be permitted.
i can understand why a person would want to end their life if it's really misrable, but neverrtheless, suicide is never a good answer.

Then what's the alternative for someone with a degenerative disease? Suffer through pain, deblitation, physical and mental degeneration and humiliation and die an inevitable, wasting death? If you are labeling it a "good answer" to a "bad answer" then in this case, a premature death no matter how it is induced is definitely the "good" answer.

There is NO answer that can be compared with another in a situation.

[Arvedui]

Some might find this a bit offensive, and I admit that I intend to provoke a little. But just think about how we treat animals who are in pain, and cannot be healed. We put an end to their misery, right?
Then why should we not allow for that to be done when people are in the same situation?

[Legolam]

I get really confused about this topic. Up until recently, I thought I was fine with the idea of euthanasia. Dying with dignity gives the patient control over their life, and they don't have to suffer unnecessary pain. After all, we wouldn't let an animal suffer like that.

However, my views have changed somewhat recently. It's a bit of a selfish view, but I don't think I could help a loved one die. I just couldn't do it. And, as a medic, I am bound to help people live, not kill them. I just don't think I could go against that. And I certainly wouldn't be able to ask someone to do it for me if I was in that situation.

So, I agree that euthanasia is the humane and "right" thing to do, but I don't think I could ever have a part in it.

[Eriol]

I don't think euthanasia and assisted suicide are exactly the same thing, I thing the former covers involuntary termination of life-sustaining systems (as opposed to voluntary termination). But assisted suicide is clearly covered by the noun 'euthanasia' as well as involuntary termination, so what I have to say about euthanasia is fitting for both.

Euthanasia is a decision made in despair. Now despair is a bad thing (a sin if you are religious). Maybe I can explain it better with analogies from Tolkien's books, excuse me if it sounds 'cheesy'. But since you know them, it will save words. I refer you to mad Denethor. He is despair incarnate. His decisions -- to kill himself, and his son -- are analogous to euthanasia. Perhaps it was logical, but it doesn't make it right.

Gandalf's words about despair are sprinkled throughout the books. In a sentence, despair is for those who can see all ends clearly. Gandalf couldn't. We can't. Killing another person, or suiciding, is a decision that should be made only if you are all-knowing. I am not.

I know that it can be painful, for the sick person and for their relatives. I hope I would have the strength to oppose euthanasia as strongly as I do today if I find myself in a similar situation. But the circumstances, and the pain, do not excuse the act. I don't think it is right -- under any circumstances.

[DGoeij]

Being a citizen in the only country in the world currently having a law that permits euthanesia in certain circumstances, I think I should explain that law first. I'll add my own opinion (not very different anyway) after that.

'Euthanesia' is viewed as an act, ending the life of someone else, on request of this person.

In the case of a terminal disease, no chance of cure, and 'unbearable suffering', a doctor (or is the right term physician?) is allowed to help or to refuse to help a patient end his or her life.
The patient himself has to aks, in writing, for this. After some amount of time the doctor involved has to confirm the medical facts (the suffering etc.) and the rational capabilities of the patient (they have to be aware and capable of understanding their situation) with another doctor. This can all be done in advance, in case the patient is afraid of going into coma or something similar. No exceptions on these rules are allowed.

This all has to be done and the doctor can end the life of the patient. This can be done by an overdose of medication, or something similar. (no cutting of wrists or plastic bags).
After that, the events have to be reported to a examination committee, having members from both the medical world and the justice department. In case the doctor acted according to the rules described, he will not be prosecuted.

I hope it's clear enough, the information is accesible here, this site has an english translation. http://www.nvve.nl/english/index.html

Personally, I support the law as it has been passed. People facing a disease that is uncurable and will end in a slow suffering until the body gives in, should have the ability to end their lives more peaceful. This is not something to be taken lighthearted, but giving people the possibility in extreme circumstances is an option I prefer.


As a side note, the term 'euthanasia' has been used by Nazi-doctor's during WWII when killing mentally disabled persons or people suffering from the 'Downe'syndrome. Some people tend to point at these horiffic activities when discussing this law passed by dutch parlaiment. I hope people here can see the difference.

[reem]

i agree with Eriol. as painful as it can be, euthanesia isn't always the best answer, if you look from a particular perspective...which, in my case, is a religious one. but if you're not into religion, then you might not see it as a bad thing, i suppose.
reem

[Lossen Vana]

in my opinion, all forms of suicide should not be permitted.

In some ways I agree with you in others I don't. I think it depend on the cercemstances of the event. If it is suicide due to depession or anything that is about a chemecal imbalemce then I say no. But if it is someone who knows they are going to die soon from an incruable disese and they can't even enjoy and ouce of life, then I say let then make up there oun mind. Of course the problem with that is where to draw the line. For it is true in mankind. That you give them an inch they then ask for a mile and so on. So you can see where I stand.

[Niniel]

Being also a citizen of the Netherlands, I have followed the discussion about the euthanasia laws for some time. I agree with the law as it has been passed, like DGoeij.
Of course one should not decide for euthanasie too fast. People who are terribly ill and in pain can still enjoy their lives, so both patient and doctor should be absolutely sure that it is the right thing to do before it is actually done.
But there are also people in those same conditions who suffer so much that they really do not want to go on living. In that case it is only humane to help them die. My grandmother is an example; she had multiple strokes, after which she was completely paralyzed. She could do nothing but lying in bed all day, she couldn't even speak clearly, and suffered terrible pain. After two years she died, but she had indicated many times that she wanted to die and she really meant it. It was terrible for our family to watch this, and of course also for her. I think she should have gotten euthanasia, and I can imagine there are more people like her who suffer terribly, and have no chance of recovery, and really want to die.
So I support euthanasia, as long as it is done according to the law.

[Samweis]

Only for your information:

The greek word "Euthanasia" means dying without pain. In Germany the word has a total different meaning, because the word was abused to camouflage a terrible crime in the Third Reich. The Nazis used it for killing useless life (disabled or mentally ill persons) in "hospitals".

The german translation of euthanasia in your meaning is "STERBEHILFE (help in dying)".