Okay, I am aware that there is already a topic on this, but it's from 2007, so when weighing the pros and cons of massive gravedig vs. new topic, I chose to make a new one. The old one is located here debate-it-f23/mercy-killing-t13571.html?hilit=mercy%20killing, if anyone would like to look. To start off, I'm going to give a basic breakdown. There are two major categories, voluntary and involuntary euthanasia. Involuntary is when the patient is unable to make a decision and someone else decides for them, either by choosing what he/she knows that the patient would want, what the most practical path is or by basing it on what he/she would want if he/she were in the place of the patient. Voluntary is when a patient that is in serious pain and/or has only a short time to live wished to die with dignity or end their suffering by having their life terminated. The two can be further categorized into passive and active. Passive euthanasia is when the patient is in need of some kind of mechanical support, and it ceases to be administrated to them (dialysis or life support machines... "pulling the plug"). Active euthanasia is more like physician-assisted suicide than the former. This is where steps are taken to cause the patient's death - lethal substances are administered. Both types of euthanasia are painless. Active euthanasia is - for the sake of this thread - the one that I'm going to focus on with my writing, because it's more of a debate. There are several different methods that have been used over the years, and I'll map out a brief description of each. "Dr. Death" (Dr. Jack Kevorkian, released from prison for second-degree murder and still preaching his ideas) invented two different machines to aid those who wish to die, firstly the Thanatron and secondly the Mercitron. The Thanatron has three steps - first the doctor will administer a saline drip. The patient themselves will then trigger a mechanism to inject barbiturates into their bloodstream, before a third injection - usually on a timer - will occur, this one deadly. After his license was revoked, the Mercitron arose - using simple carbon monoxide. Following him is Dr. Philip Nitschke, who invented the Deliverance Machine and the Exit International. The Deliverance Machine is essentially a laptop that asks you a series of questions, and right answers get you injected with barbiturates. Exit International is a barbecue canister filled with nitrogen attached to some tubing and a plastic bag. It was engineered just last year, and is not only quick and painless but never fails. There are several problems with euthanasia, chiefly moral and theological ones, but as well as this, one must determine if a patient is in his or her right mind before they are declared fit to state that they want to die. And shrink who is with a patient is going to project his or her views on the subject, it's inevitable. Aside from that, there's the wishes of the family, the concern that a patient would do it simply so as not to be a financial burden (it's very cheap to die, you know). And you'd also be making doctors into murderers - in the eyes of some - thus generating a lot of distrust. However, there's the thought of the pain and suffering alleviated, the cost effectiveness, free will, hospital space and the certainty of it. I think that euthanasia should be legalised entirely on a probationary status, and that rather than having regular doctors set things up, there's a specific job title for it, as well as schooling, so that people lose as little faith as possible in the medical industry. I'll elaborate after I have some responses, so that's it from me for now. And obviously I tried to keep my personal bias out of my writing, but it always sneaks its way in there somehow. There's loads of intel on the internet, if you'd like to read from a couple other people's biased points of view. Google is your friend (well, sort of, but that's a topic for another day).
Voluntary euthanasia should be legalized. I've known some people with horrible diseases, cancer, that have wanted to end the pain so badly. Involuntary euthanasia is a touchy subject, though. Even moreso than the former. I doubt any major government would implement such a law allowing it due to the massive public outcry and ethics groups.. psssha. Anyway, I reckon it should be allowed.. but I can see court cases in the future ending with: 'I stabbed him 38 times to euthanize him.. SRSLY'.
I don't see why active euthanasia should be illegal. It's not murder, the person wants to die, and would probably cause his/her's own death regardless of whether or not the assister gives help. If I had like 18 different cancers and was in constant pain everyday while I get doped up with loads of morphine, I think I'd prefer a quick and easy death. Though, I suppose there should be some kind of required video taping or recording that shows proof that the person who was being given euthanasia wanted the suicide. As for involuntary, I don't think that's right because we shouldn't be allowed to think for others, though with this country, it goes on more than it should.
Eh. I do believe that Voluntary euthanasia should be legal, but of course, the religious beliefs interfere with this. Many believe this of still killing someone therefore it would be a sin, or something else depending on religious views. As well as that, numerous whom want to do this in hospitals and such are going to die in most cases so it's either let them suffer or let them die in some sort of peace. :/ My final standpoint about this: Should be legal with exceptions; such as people whom can't decide upon it and those whom had a possibility of being cured. :x
i completely agree with you here Although i kind of have a personal prejudice against religious people that force their own beliefs/opinions on other people so i say screw the people who have a religious reason for not doing it. Not really, i say make it legal and let the doctor choose whether he/she will perform euthanasia or not. By allowing the doctor to choose whether to administer euthanasia in whichever form they choose be it injection, machine, etc. it eliminates moral instabilities in the doctor. Also the patient should have to get approval from the doctor which is to perform the euthanasia. If the doctor decides that just because a person doesn't like their life isn't a decent reason they can be denied the "privilege" of euthanasia. I use privilege in quotes because it's kind of a privilege to be able to control when you die, sort of. Also there's a difference between euthanasia and murder... if you stab a person 37 times that's not euthanasia, euthanasia is a quick painless death unlike getting stabbed 37 times which is murder.
Haha xD That's true although there's some that would see euthanasia as murder just because your ending their life, not the natural elements/sickness. The doctor thing you mentioned would work pretty well I think.