Assisted Suicide. - Help.com

Depends.

Terminal illness with no chance of recovery, might as well allow them to make the decision.

I agree with assisted suicide so long as the patient is terminally ill and has no quality of life left. It allows them to die with dignity

‘assisted suiciders depend on their assisters.’ — doesn’t make any sense to me, only life has dependencies, death is what happens what all those dependencies disappear.

hey…iknowyou wrote:
Is that the only circumstance where you think it’s OK?

What if it were a terminal illness with a life expectancy of another 20 years? (I know, not exactly realistic, more of a metaphorical question.)

Then it would depend on the quality of life, if there was anything that could be done to improve it, make every effort to make it nice for them. Then ultimately they could decide if they would weant to live like that.

❷ĐØŰߣË❷ wrote:
I agree with assisted suicide so long as the patient is terminally ill and has no quality of life left. It allows them to die with dignity

i agree it was painful to watch my grandad die from cancer and know he was dying :(

Well when they reach near the end, and they are suffering and are unable to do anything for themselves, then i think it is ok.

I think as long as the person about die wants to and is in the mind to make such decisions then they should be allowed to do what they want with their life.

I say yay, im a big supporter of assisted suicide

If somebody wants to die just because they are fed up with it then they probable need help. You need to make sure they thinking clearly before they are allowed to make such a decision.

well if someones in that much pain then you should let them go, ultimately it should be their choice, not anyone elses

hey…iknowyou wrote:
OK so far the emphasis seems to be on people who have terminal illnesses. Why are these circumstances different?

What if somebody is simply fed up with life? Does this person not have the same right to choose as the person next door to him who has cancer?

*Disclaimer* I am in no way suicidal, nor do I wish anybody else to be. It’s merely a topic I am interested in. Nor do I wish to offend anybody on this post. I am aware that it is somewhat of a touchy subject and I am sorry if anybody is effected negatively because of it.

It doesn’t have to be just terminally ill people. People who hav M.S or something like that should be allowed to, but not healthy people. If someone is *fed up* with life, then they need to seek help because they may be depressed.
Assisted suicide is mainly to allow people to die with dignity and to allow them no more suffering (in my opinion)

to be fair if someones a bit fed up with life and not terminally ill then they dont need assisted suicide do they? as in, they dont need assistance, they can just go commit suicide anyway

Couldn’t they be visited by a psychiatrist to assess them and talk about other option before they make the decision. If they pass and still want to continue then they should be allowed.

why should someone who isn’t terminally ill die? If they have depression or something that can be treated and they can get their life back on track, whereas someone who is terminally ill won’t be able to live their out their life as they planned. People who are terminally ill would do anything to have a full life so people who aren’t terminally ill are basically throwing away a life someone else would die for (no pun intended)

im sure a lot of places would consider it illegal to help someone do that :P I imagine itd be hard to get people on board to help you do it then but you never know. Again though I think it depends why the person wants to do it? are they genuinely that depressed that its the best choice? yknow like depressed for 10 years and nothing works? or just a bit sad cos their boyfriend shagged around. Theres a big difference

❷ĐØŰߣË❷ wrote:
why should someone who isn’t terminally ill die? If they have depression or something that can be treated and they can get their life back on track, whereas someone who is terminally ill won’t be able to live their out their life as they planned. People who are terminally ill would do anything to have a full life so people who aren’t terminally ill are basically throwing away a life someone else would die for (no pun intended)

some peoples brains are just wired wrong, some people will never be happy and telling them not to take a working body for granted wont change their mind. its a sad fact but some people are born to hate themselves and can frequently do damage to others around them as well, maybe it’d be better if they had a way out without shame

Anonymous wrote:
Couldn’t they be visited by a psychiatrist to assess them and talk about other option before they make the decision. If they pass and still want to continue then they should be allowed.

Yes, a psychiatrist would be a good idea, and the patient should have gone through all other options before hand, i don’t think assisted suicide should be a ‘quick fix’. I also think they should get two people in the family to sign a form so that it is completely understood what is going to happen etc..

Doesn’t the whole field of phycology surround that. How do we know is someone is insane or not? We ask them questions and assess their responses. Its not full proof but i think its good enough.

hey…iknowyou wrote:

❷ĐØŰߣË❷ wrote:
Yes, a psychiatrist would be a good idea, and the patient should have gone through all other options before hand, i don’t think assisted suicide should be a ‘quick fix’. I also think they should get two people in the family to sign a form so that it is completely understood what is going to happen etc..

What if the person has no family? And if a person is brought through all other options, should it be some form of assessment that the individual can pass or fail that decides whether they are allowed or not or should it be an attempt to convince them not to where their decision is still final?

A doctor could sign it, saying that all other areas have been explored and that it is the right call to make

hey…iknowyou wrote:

❷ĐØŰߣË❷ wrote:
Yes, a psychiatrist would be a good idea, and the patient should have gone through all other options before hand, i don’t think assisted suicide should be a ‘quick fix’. I also think they should get two people in the family to sign a form so that it is completely understood what is going to happen etc..

What if the person has no family? And if a person is brought through all other options, should it be some form of assessment that the individual can pass or fail that decides whether they are allowed or not or should it be an attempt to convince them not to where their decision is still final?

You need to remember that we are talking about someone ending their life. It is not an easy decision to make and precautions need to be made so accidents don’t happen

im not saying that the individual has no say. I’m just saying that it isn’t a decision to be made or taken lightly

I meant that phycology is about what happens in our minds and its effects. And they are not deciding if they can live or die, just if that can make that decision. I think the process should be fairly long process to be sure they have explored all other possibilities and so the doctor is also sure.

I think assisted suicide is ok in some instances. However, I would hate to be the one to make the decision or “pull the plug.” IDK if being the one (either as a nurse/doc or as a family member) who makes the final decision/performs the final act would be something that I could live with.

Doctors deal with death all the time and do pull the plug on brain dead patients some times. It comes with the job.

That word, “phycology”, should definitely be put out of its misery.

if a patient is that ill the doctor will have been a big part in the patients life and getting a medical professional to sign it would show that all other area have been explored and IF the patients wishes are to end their life then they understand. Im not saying that the doctor makes the call on deciding the patients life

And, I think as far as your question is concerned about what gives another person the right to make a decision….

1. I think that when you have been with a spouse for 50+ years, your spouse pretty much knows what your wishes would be; and since you have been together that long, your spouse loves and respects you enough to consider YOUR wishes; not the wishes of the person who is still living. Thought, that is not plausible today…in the next 10 or so years, ppl married for that long will be rare, for sure

2. If a person signs DOR orders when they are diagnosed with or become increasingly ill with a medical malady, then that person has already made the decision.

Anonymous wrote:
Doctors deal with death all the time and do pull the plug on brain dead patients some times. It comes with the job.

I realize that. I just said that “I” could not do it.

I have an aunt who is a nurse and does it; but I don’t think “I” could….my aunt, btw, has some regrets when she does it.

Pepper Jelly wrote:
And, I think as far as your question is concerned about what gives another person the right to make a decision….

1. I think that when you have been with a spouse for 50+ years, your spouse pretty much knows what your wishes would be; and since you have been together that long, your spouse loves and respects you enough to consider YOUR wishes; not the wishes of the person who is still living. Thought, that is not plausible today…in the next 10 or so years, ppl married for that long will be rare, for sure

2. If a person signs DOR orders when they are diagnosed with or become increasingly ill with a medical malady, then that person has already made the decision.

Thank you, i was trying to say that but couldn’t get it right!!!

tell you what, to make this easier shall we just hire someone to judge on whether or not someone can die or not? I dont think judge judy has been busy recently

i think that we know the answer, it is just the finer details we are debating about!!

I would be able to “pull the plug” if I absolutely had to and there was nobody there to do it. However, I would always second guess myself. If my husb was terminally ill, and I had to make that choice, I would always wonder if there would have been some miracle that would have made him recover and be able to be around for his children for a little while longer.

It is difficult to watch someone die. I would be distraught and would be thinking less clearly than normal. However, it would, ultimately, be about the person who wanted to die; not about me. I would be able to do it if I had to; but I would not like it and I would feel sorrow and wonder if I made the right decision for the rest of my life.

Interesting answer. It is bringing out more the impact on the assister than on the individual in question. Any other thoughts on that particular thought?[/quote]

Does anybody actually get arrested or punnished if they do. There was a big case in the UK i think about clarifying the legality of such actions.

Anonymous wrote:
Does anybody actually get arrested or punnished if they do. There was a big case in the UK i think about clarifying the legality of such actions.

in a lot of places they do, the UK cases that keep coming up regard the legality of assisters helping the person get to switzerland so the dignitas company can do their thing.

yeah, people have been trying to make assisted suicide legal. I think the woman won part of the battle, but im not too sure

As far as if the person is not very ill and just wishes to end their life: I would say that they are on their own with that one. I could not assist. However, I could not fault them, either. If their life meant so little to them that they wanted to end it…I would say that it is an individual’s choice. Not one that I would completely agree with; but one that I would try very hard to understand.

Further, if they were a father/mother of young children; involved in the community; etc…I would try to make them see how the “ripple affect” would happen…how they would cause distress to everyone if they followed through with the choice.

I know a father who committed suicide for financial reasons. His family was bad off in a financial way and he killed himself so that his wife and children could collect on the life insurance money. Now, tell me that those kids won’t view that money as “blood money.” His wife gave a lot of the money away…she couldn’t use it.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpr…

I think this was it ^^

I think all of us here agree that it is right so you have you answer lol.

Yeeesh, sorry I’m behind…it’s taking my page too long to refresh :(

have i not made myself clear yet?!!!! I am for assisted suicide so long as it is people who are terminally ill or have an illness like M.S. etc…..

hey…iknowyou wrote:

Pepper Jelly wrote:
Yeeesh, sorry I’m behind…it’s taking my page too long to refresh :(

Indeed, this site sucks quite a lot now in that regard. It used to refresh automatically, thems were the good old days lol.

❷ĐØŰߣË❷ wrote:
have i not made myself clear yet?!!!! I am for assisted suicide so long as it is people who are terminally ill or have an illness like M.S. etc…..

You have made yourself completely clear, I am interested in as many different peoples perspectives on it though. I am not saying you are right or wrong, your opinion will stay the same (more than likely anyway), I still find it interesting hearing other peoples thought on the matter.

Yeah, i have to agree with you. I am also curious about other peoples opinions on this subject!!
Do you think assisted suicide should be legal?

yeh assisted suicide depends on the circumstances but opinions vary

I think assisted suicide should be legal.

hey…iknowyou wrote:
Me personally?

Yes, you have been more interested in our opinions, i was just curious to yours!

Let me amend: it should be legal, but NOBODY should be able to make a decision except the person who wants to die or their representative (someone who they chose before they were ill…their medical power of attorney, I think)

If we allow docs or miscellaneous family members to decide, then where does it stop?

Also, up there ^^ I mentioned DOR…that’s incorrect (lol-I was thinking of a DOR hearing…) It should be DNR=Do Not Resuscitate (or however it is spelled)

But what if someone had just been diagnosed with cancer and wants to end their life before going through chemotherapy or the more serious effects the cancer will have on them?

Anonymous wrote:
But what if someone had just been diagnosed with cancer and wants to end their life before going through chemotherapy or the more serious effects the cancer will have on them?

I think that is that individual’s choice. I’m sure that when faced with death, or terminal illness, many people put countless hours of thought into their decisions. They certainly consider the effects their decisions will have on family and loved ones. For example, if a person is diagnosed with cancer and does not want to go through chemo, I’m certain that the person would consider the pros and cons of chemo on themselves as well as on their loved ones; and then consider the pros and cons of not getting chemo on themselves and their loved ones. Chemo is a horrible way to live….I wouldn’t fault anyone for not wanting to go through it. Again, on the flip side, if I had cancer, I would WANT to go through chemo (I think, anyway…while I’m healthy at the moment) and be able to have that chance to see my kids grow up and get married and have their own kids. Of course, I could change my mind; and that is OK too…

People who are faced with their own death do lots and lots of soul searching. I think that their decisions in the end are the most sound ones that they can come up with.

Another thing to consider: the basic human instinct is to SURVIVE….it’s ingrained in us. Therefore, I think that many people who think that they wouldn’t want to/couldn’t go through something like chemo…would try it just to LIVE. Of course, I still stand by what I said that if they decide not to, it’s ok, too

But i mean if they knew they were about to go into a more painful section of their illness. Basically if they want to die before the pain.

i agree. It is the individuals choice but it think that most people who have just been diagnosed would want to try and beat the cancer first, but if not that is fine and they can change there minds if that is their wish.

nah if your going to do it then do it your self thar way you know youve done he job right

good night hey…iknowyou

sleep well =D

if they don’t want the pain then thts fine and hahaha look the most recent members says ‘WASH’

And what if somebody had a 20% chance of surviving if they did go through chemotherapy but didn’t want to suffer and wanted to die. If somebody had a 50 50 chance of surviving would you allow to kill them selves? if not then what do the chances have to be to allow them to kill themselves?

wattoburger wrote:
if they don’t want the pain then thts fine and hahaha look the most recent members says ‘WASH’

?

Pepper Jelly wrote:

wattoburger wrote:
if they don’t want the pain then thts fine and hahaha look the most recent members says ‘WASH’

?

on the ‘Most Recent Members Online’list the avatars spelt ‘WASH’

Anonymous wrote:
And what if somebody had a 20% chance of surviving if they did go through chemotherapy but didn’t want to suffer and wanted to die. If somebody had a 50 50 chance of surviving would you allow to kill them selves? if not then what do the chances have to be to allow them to kill themselves?

A 50/50 chance of survival with chemo would constitute a long, hard road. If that person decides not to continue, that’s OK.

Also, in cases like this: illnesses that are this extreme….ppl often LOSE loved ones. Loved ones either don’t want to be burdened (in this throw away society) or they don’t know how to cope. In that case, if a loved one stuck by the terminally ill person’s side, that loved one should have a say in the matter….ultimately, though, leaving it up to the ill person.

ok, guys, im going to go of to bed as well!! Night Night =D

Goodnight, Double and Hey….too, even though I’m too late :s

I didn’t mean just chemo. What if somebody had a brain tumor and had a 60% chance of surviving without problems and a 40% percent chance of suffering serious brain damage and if they didn’t go through with it then they would suffer brain problems anyway would you allow them to kill themselves. And if not would you allow them to die if the odds were 5%. Basically what do he odds have to be to allow somebody to die.

I forgot to say what if a operation had a 60% chance…

Anonymous wrote:
I didn’t mean just chemo. What if somebody had a brain tumor and had a 60% chance of surviving without problems and a 40% percent chance of suffering serious brain damage and if they didn’t go through with it then they would suffer brain problems anyway would you allow them to kill themselves. And if not would you allow them to die if the odds were 5%. Basically what do he odds have to be to allow somebody to die.

Anonymous wrote:
I forgot to say what if a operation had a 60% chance…

Again, up to the individual

But then what if somebody suffered with a fatal disease but there was a simple operation that would save their lives a 95% success rate. Would you allow them to die in this case as well.

I don’t know if it would be considered a fatal disease if there was an operation that had a 95% chance of cure

Assisted suicide does happen when people are really sick and dying they are given a morphine drip, denied food or water and it takes about a day and a half.

Well if they would die without the operation. Would you allow them to die?

Denying them food and water, I think, is cruel; and that takes longer than a day and a half.

They can also be taken off of a respirator

I thought it was cruel but the morphine made her really out of it they didn’t think she felt anything.

Anonymous wrote:
Well if they would die without the operation. Would you allow them to die?

I would say that the person would probably want to have the operation. If they did not want to have the operation, I think that they would be a bit narcissistic, considering that they would probably have loved ones who would be affected by their decision to die; and to die despite the fact that there was a good chance of them living normal, healthy, full lives.

But, yeah. I guess if a person would decide to not get the operation, that is completely up to that person. I would hope that people would think long and hard, and consider what their actions would mean to others, though. I think, personally, it would be a waste of life to do that. But, who am I to determine someone else’s quality of life? Desire to live? Or value to humankind?

Basically, if you are asking how I feel about life….I believe this: God sparks EVERY SINGLE life for a REASON…we all have lives that touch others in ways that we cannot even imagine. I think that it is a noble thing to live our lives to the best of our abilities; not to increase our own wealth; comfort; etc….but to contribute to society and to love ppl and to give to others. People are meant to love one another and it is evident to me that in this day and age people are becoming disposable. I do not like that. I think that EVERYONE’S life has value. Forever. Even after death. I think that everyone touches the lives of others. I think that no matter how “useless” people seem to others, their lives still have value. People are not old banana peels.

Yes, only if they are going to die. And it’s not just chosen on a whim.

If it is assisted, that would have to mean that the individual wants to die. My opinion: Their choice. HOWEVER, there HAS to be guidelines in order to determine qualification for the action.

I used to be totally against this, but if someone is in so much constant pain without hope of remedy……… then I could see it. BUT even then they are aren’t mentally with it completely if they haven’t slept for days due to the pain or meds that they may be given.

This is an interesting subject for me because I believe in the sanctity of human life as well as the right for an individual to choose his or her own destiny.

To clear it up incase it wasn’t mentioned, assisted suicide is different from euthanasia in that assisted suicide the patient is the one who ends their life by pressing a button or flipping a switch(depending on how it is set up) where as euthanasia is carried out by the doctor.

people should be put to sleep if they are dien and sufferen i think..just like dogs

SayItsSo wrote:
people should be put to sleep if they are dien and sufferen i think..just like dogs

You are a people too I am trying to assume.

It’s interesting to see that there has not been any question of faith of any kind in this post.
It seems that many who answer yes, may think that a person has a right to die in their own way, and their choosing. While that is a right that they personally have, it is also their right to live life to the best as it can be up until death.

This is a moral and ethical dilema that is shared at a very large round table, because many sides of the argument carry weight. But in these times, where the moral crown is slightly askewed, there still can be no excuse to allow someone the freedom and latitude to ask for assistance in suicide… this as much conflict as this carries… is only one step away from murder… and if we allow one… we know all too well with other slightly smaller things in society… it wouldn’t be a far stretch of the imagination to make this claim.

How many actual murderers could get by on a claim saying ” They asked me to help them…” This opens a whole new ball of wax in the judicial courts and it is far easier to not allow assisted suicide than it is to allow it, because the trickle down effects of it are too great of a cost to society.

Yay!

Didnt read all the replies, cba.

but i say Yay.
i watched my dad fight a terminal cancer for 9 years, slowly getting weaker with every painful treatment. He always said he would end it before he got too sick to look after himself, unfortunately that time came on too quickly for him to make arrangements and he had to suffer through immense agonising pain, struggling for every breath, unable to feed himself, bathe himself toilet himself…exactly the way he didnt want to go.
My mother had to sit and watch the man she loved wither away to nothing, and that is how she remembers her last moments with him, ragged breathing and tears slipping out of his eyes, rather than the strong defiant man we all knew him to be in health. he never once cried during his illness. so for him to cry at the end, i can only imagine the pain and desperation he felt, stripped of all dignity.
assisted suicide, and murder, are two completely different and opposite things. they are on opposite ends of the scale, and could only be mistaken by someone who couldnt understand that somethings are worse than death.
anyone who watched a loved one go the way my father did could never say that Euthanasia is wrong…we do it for a dog, why not for a loved human.

courtybubble wrote:
Didnt read all the replies, cba.

but i say Yay.
i watched my dad fight a terminal cancer for 9 years, slowly getting weaker with every painful treatment. He always said he would end it before he got too sick to look after himself, unfortunately that time came on too quickly for him to make arrangements and he had to suffer through immense agonising pain, struggling for every breath, unable to feed himself, bathe himself toilet himself…exactly the way he didnt want to go.
My mother had to sit and watch the man she loved wither away to nothing, and that is how she remembers her last moments with him, ragged breathing and tears slipping out of his eyes, rather than the strong defiant man we all knew him to be in health. he never once cried during his illness. so for him to cry at the end, i can only imagine the pain and desperation he felt, stripped of all dignity.
assisted suicide, and murder, are two completely different and opposite things. they are on opposite ends of the scale, and could only be mistaken by someone who couldnt understand that somethings are worse than death.
anyone who watched a loved one go the way my father did could never say that Euthanasia is wrong…we do it for a dog, why not for a loved human.

I can relate to some extent with my Father in law. very sad

Excellent reply, Courtybubble

excellent, harrowing and it cut much deeper than any of the comments you made when i said that “lol” when u once briefly mentioned him dying of cancer. i am truly regretful and sorry.

eye yuv ewe cali

intellectually I had some opinions, then I sat with a loved one as they were in perpetual agony, slowly slipping into death. Not fun either way. :-(

❷ĐØŰߣË❷ wrote:
I agree with assisted suicide so long as the patient is terminally ill and has no quality of life left. It allows them to die with dignity

Agree 100%

For some reason this subject seems to be as controversial as abortions. I hope not to offend anybody, and i don’t want to turn this into a discussion on pro-life vs pro-choice, but it seems like it’s the same thing. If someone is allowed to take away their child’s life with a doctors assistance, and this is seen as normal, why aren’t they allowed to take away their own life in virtually the same way?

yay. but only if i get to help.

name with no face wrote:
yay. but only if i get to help.

Nice.

hey…iknowyou wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
For some reason this subject seems to be as controversial as abortions. I hope not to offend anybody, and i don’t want to turn this into a discussion on pro-life vs pro-choice, but it seems like it’s the same thing. If someone is allowed to take away their child’s life with a doctors assistance, and this is seen as normal, why aren’t they allowed to take away their own life in virtually the same way?

They are too completely unrelated topics. Abortion is another individual taking the decision to end another individuals life. I couldn’t care less about peoples beliefs on that topic. What this post is about is an individual making a decision to want to end their own life.

ble wrote:
- I agree with assisted suicide so long as the patient has no quality of life left. It allows them to die with dignity

This is more the idea I have an issue with. People often tend to want to make this decision based on their own moral beliefs. “It’s OK for somebody to want to die if they have no quality of life left”. That’s a very subjective stance I believe. How can one define quality of life based on another’s circumstances?

I would have to agree on that one, what if my definition of ‘no quality of life’ is different than the people making the decision for me? (purely hypothetical) Then who gets to decide?

3DG girl wrote:

hey…iknowyou wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
For some reason this subject seems to be as controversial as abortions. I hope not to offend anybody, and i don’t want to turn this into a discussion on pro-life vs pro-choice, but it seems like it’s the same thing. If someone is allowed to take away their child’s life with a doctors assistance, and this is seen as normal, why aren’t they allowed to take away their own life in virtually the same way?

They are too completely unrelated topics. Abortion is another individual taking the decision to end another individuals life. I couldn’t care less about peoples beliefs on that topic. What this post is about is an individual making a decision to want to end their own life.

ble wrote:
- I agree with assisted suicide so long as the patient has no quality of life left. It allows them to die with dignity

This is more the idea I have an issue with. People often tend to want to make this decision based on their own moral beliefs. “It’s OK for somebody to want to die if they have no quality of life left”. That’s a very subjective stance I believe. How can one define quality of life based on another’s circumstances?

I would have to agree on that one, what if my definition of ‘no quality of life’ is different than the people making the decision for me? (purely hypothetical) Then who gets to decide?

i say that we all take a vote, and we all vote on me to make the decisions on who gets to kill themselves and who doesn’t.

even if you have someone kill yourself for you, you still told them to do it, and its still suicide… YOUR GOIN TO HELL IF YOU COMMIT SUICIDE

cRazd&cOnfused wrote:
even if you have someone kill yourself for you, you still told them to do it, and its still suicide… YOUR GOIN TO HELL IF YOU COMMIT SUICIDE

i think that’s something totally unrelated to the topic. that’s a religious belief, not a fact.

Anonymous wrote:

cRazd&cOnfused wrote:
even if you have someone kill yourself for you, you still told them to do it, and its still suicide… YOUR GOIN TO HELL IF YOU COMMIT SUICIDE

i think that’s something totally unrelated to the topic. that’s a religious belief, not a fact.

haha don’t worry it just popped into my mind of the day when our physco religion teacher talked to us about suicide… his exact words… but to answer to te topic i think it would be okay as long as the person was terminally ill or going to die anyway

cRazd&cOnfused wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

cRazd&cOnfused wrote:
even if you have someone kill yourself for you, you still told them to do it, and its still suicide… YOUR GOIN TO HELL IF YOU COMMIT SUICIDE

i think that’s something totally unrelated to the topic. that’s a religious belief, not a fact.

haha don’t worry it just popped into my mind of the day when our physco religion teacher talked to us about suicide… his exact words… but to answer to te topic i think it would be okay as long as the person was terminally ill or going to die anyway

okay, lol, just scared me for a minute. i was thinking ‘oh no, don’t bring religion into this!!’. But then again, maybe that could be a contributing factor.

That reminds me of the movie (Million dollar baby) for Clint Eastwood

I say it doesn’t matter if they are terminally ill or not. Their body, their life.

3DG girl wrote:

I would have to agree on that one, what if my definition of ‘no quality of life’ is different than the people making the decision for me? (purely hypothetical) Then who gets to decide?

what? you don’t own a motorbike? there is no quality of life for you left…

When my ex left, I could not see any quality of life in my future, but hey, I was wrong :-)

chunkymove wrote:

3DG girl wrote:

I would have to agree on that one, what if my definition of ‘no quality of life’ is different than the people making the decision for me? (purely hypothetical) Then who gets to decide?

what? you don’t own a motorbike? there is no quality of life for you left…

When my ex left, I could not see any quality of life in my future, but hey, I was wrong :-)

exactly, how do we determine what a quality life is? That just brings us around to ‘what is the meaning of life?’ and we haven’t gotten very far with that one…

3DG girl wrote:
exactly, how do we determine what a quality life is? That just brings us around to ‘what is the meaning of life?’ and we haven’t gotten very far with that one…

hmm, just had an idea then. “How do we determine”?
Well base it on “a life with the quality ( attribute ) of the owner wanting to live it”

Some seem to have it all and top themselves, while others born with arms or legs ( for example) live life to the full. My external judgments are incorrect in determining their quality of life. If they want to die, then all I’d want to check is that is wasn’t a short term thing, or they weren’t suffering from religion. Otherwise, I’d personally respect their choice.

“I am just going outside and may be some time”

chunkymove wrote:

3DG girl wrote:
exactly, how do we determine what a quality life is? That just brings us around to ‘what is the meaning of life?’ and we haven’t gotten very far with that one…

hmm, just had an idea then. “How do we determine”?
Well base it on “a life with the quality ( attribute ) of the owner wanting to live it”

Some seem to have it all and top themselves, while others born with arms or legs ( for example) live life to the full. My external judgments are incorrect in determining their quality of life. If they want to die, then all I’d want to check is that is wasn’t a short term thing, or they weren’t suffering from religion. Otherwise, I’d personally respect their choice.

“I am just going outside and may be some time”

so if that’s what determines it, i don’t really see the difference between assisted suicide, and shooting yourself in the head because you’re depressed, except the amount of mess on the floor. suicides are seen as a tragedy, people are told that it’s a bad thing, they have suicide hot-lines to keep people from committing suicide at all costs, yet medical assisted suicides are somehow different. how? both people decide that they don’t want to live anymore, and so they die. most of the time there’s a medical condition behind assisted suicides, and that’s the reason for it, but depression is a medical condition which effectively ‘takes away quality life’, so what’s the difference?

MPOV. the medical industry doesn’t see the self as part of the body.

Being depressed I see as solvable. Given some food, sleep, exercise, real human connection, and something to do - I think depression evaporates. So for me, someone I know killing themselves due to depression is a waste, as I see it as solvable. But when someone I knew had cancer, I finally had to admit there were things outside my control and it sucked. Seeing them in pain vs me not wanting to admit defeat and let them go.

thats how it is in my head, but it’s certainly something I’m still churning around.

hey…iknowyou wrote:

This is more the idea I have an issue with. People often tend to want to make this decision based on their own moral beliefs. “It’s OK for somebody to want to die if they have no quality of life left”. That’s a very subjective stance I believe. How can one define quality of life based on another’s circumstances?

its actually not that subjective at all. Because the person themselves makes the decision, thats why its called suicide or euthanasia. if someone else made the decision for them, that would be murder wouldnt it. it is based on medical fact, when there is no hope for a cure, recovery, or any semblance of life without immense pain and a very traumatic ending to ones life. lets get our facts straight people.

No. Not any form of suicide. Thats so wrong. Its a cowards way out of something you did or feel. Look suicide will take you straight to hell and if you think lifes bad, hell is ten times worse. Mabey instead of trying suicide…call someone you trust and love for advice. Or mabey go play a sport to occupie your mind….anything but suicide is fine.

~Alissa Ramey~

a terminal cancer patient who cannot bathe nor feed themselves playing sport….you madam, are a fail.

assisted suicide.
take a look at kavorkians paintings. “nearer my god to thee” is one of my favorites.

so, a suicide assistor may believe that he is bringing an end to a persons life of suffering.
because of it, they will be viewed as a murderer or a monster by some people.

its an interesting question, and one which i recently spent a lot of time thinking about, and came to some interesting conclusions.
unfortunately i cant remember them now.
take care :)

I have seen so many people and animals suffer. Nobody has a problem with putting down a suffering animal where I come from. I don’t have a problem with assisted suicide. We choose are parents, believe it or not, and we can choose when we want to go. I cannot say, “yes, I will assist you with this” because then I would be categorized as a murderer, and that I am not. I am a person of great compassion. Sometimes assisted suicide is not actually giving them something to let them move on, sometimes it is withholding things, little things, not just life support, but things like a pill, or water, or food, or love. Yes, these things are slower, but they definitely assist with the progression toward leaving this world that we know.

I watched my parents suffer. My siblings didn’t know what I knew. It was a struggle between us. I promised my parents to not let them suffer, and they were not willing to let go. You have to love them more than you love yourself and go to the doctor’s office and look him/her square in the eyes and say “no more” or I will sue. Yep, this is another take on assisted. They don’t call it that, they call it making them a DNR, or do not resuscitate but it is assisted.

I could easily give my friend something if she asked to help her out of this world if she could no longer stand it. I could have done the same for my parents.Lying in bed and staring at a ceiling 24/7 is no quality of life if you are in pain and cannot interact with your loved ones. You have become dependent upon drugs to ease the terrible pain and are in a fog, and have your Bible next to you with pages marked that you know your daughter will find after you are gone, stating that she wishes the Lord to take her due to the agony.

We are no doubt in the US a great country inspite of our problems, but when it comes to topics like this there is a deep chasm. Everybody is entitled to their own opinion. Just remember, the love for them has to be greater than the love you have for yourself. And the laws, I don’t know, I suppose after I am dead and gone they will be changed.

guster32 wrote:
I have seen so many people and animals suffer. Nobody has a problem with putting down a suffering animal where I come from. I don’t have a problem with assisted suicide. We choose are parents, believe it or not, and we can choose when we want to go. I cannot say, “yes, I will assist you with this” because then I would be categorized as a murderer, and that I am not. I am a person of great compassion. Sometimes assisted suicide is not actually giving them something to let them move on, sometimes it is withholding things, little things, not just life support, but things like a pill, or water, or food, or love. Yes, these things are slower, but they definitely assist with the progression toward leaving this world that we know.

I watched my parents suffer. My siblings didn’t know what I knew. It was a struggle between us. I promised my parents to not let them suffer, and they were not willing to let go. You have to love them more than you love yourself and go to the doctor’s office and look him/her square in the eyes and say “no more” or I will sue. Yep, this is another take on assisted. They don’t call it that, they call it making them a DNR, or do not resuscitate but it is assisted.

I could easily give my friend something if she asked to help her out of this world if she could no longer stand it. I could have done the same for my parents.Lying in bed and staring at a ceiling 24/7 is no quality of life if you are in pain and cannot interact with your loved ones. You have become dependent upon drugs to ease the terrible pain and are in a fog, and have your Bible next to you with pages marked that you know your daughter will find after you are gone, stating that she wishes the Lord to take her due to the agony.

We are no doubt in the US a great country inspite of our problems, but when it comes to topics like this there is a deep chasm. Everybody is entitled to their own opinion. Just remember, the love for them has to be greater than the love you have for yourself. And the laws, I don’t know, I suppose after I am dead and gone they will be changed.

Amen.

well thats kindof what im saying, but only under the assumption that i am the judge or acting physician. If you die and its not on my watch, It’s a sin and a crime.