Mercy Killing

[Tyrant55]

During school today we had to read an article in my English class about euthanasia. The article was written by an old woman who starts off by talking about a time when she had to put her cat to sleep because it was suffering from cancer. The woman continues to talk about an old friend of hers who is in a vegetative state and a mentally ill man who has no job, no family, and nowhere left to go. This article brings about a very controversial ethical question, should mercy killing be an option for humans like it is for animals?

 

[Ignignoct]

Yes.

If they are able to sign for it in a clear state of mind.

"BUT WHUT DO U MEAN BY CLEAR?!"

That's where it get's all mucked up...

Basically, NOT what happened in Requiem for a Dream.

 

[Gooble]

I think that the best way of doing it is having a card system (like organ donors) whereby if you hold this card, if you ever fall into a vegetative/terminally ill/mentally incapable state, you will be euthanised (that last part sounds seriously cold). However if not, just in case, you should be kept alive, no matter what either the doctors or family say.

Although it is a really tricky thing to judge for yourself whether or not you would want to be euthanised, because you cannot experience the conditions until it happens to you, thus have no idea what your quiality of life or mind would actually be (depending on the condition of course).

 

[gmer412]

Yes.

If they are able to sign for it in a clear state of mind.

"BUT WHUT DO U MEAN BY CLEAR?!"

That's where it get's all mucked up...

Basically, NOT what happened in Requiem for a Dream.

And if that person is in a coma?

Anyway, I actually wrote a mock bill for a mock congress thing about this a few years ago. My proposal was that the person in question would have to be terminally ill or in a coma. If he or she could not give consent, his or her closest relative would decide. If that person has no relatives, friends. If you can't satisfy any of those things, pull the plug. The person is taking up valuable resources and hospital space.
(Yes, I realize this is kind of unethical)

 

[Hunde Des Krieg]

If I should ever fall into a vegetative state, please, for the love of god, don't let me appear on TV.

 

[johnman]

If there is no chance of recovery then i wouldnt want to be kept alive, i would hate wasting bedspace that people who can get better would need more than me.

 

[Ignignoct]

Yes.

If they are able to sign for it in a clear state of mind.

"BUT WHUT DO U MEAN BY CLEAR?!"

That's where it get's all mucked up...

Basically, NOT what happened in Requiem for a Dream.

And if that person is in a coma?

Anyway, I actually wrote a mock bill for a mock congress thing about this a few years ago. My proposal was that the person in question would have to be terminally ill or in a coma. If he or she could not give consent, his or her closest relative would decide. If that person has no relatives, friends. If you can't satisfy any of those things, pull the plug. The person is taking up valuable resources and hospital space.
(Yes, I realize this is kind of unethical)

If they're in a coma, they obviously can't sign for it, can they?

These things must be progressed in baby-steps.

Like, decriminalizing possession of small amounts of weed. Then, eventually, you work up to allowing 21+ year olds to buy weed from government sanctioned growers in the States, legalized under laws similar to alcohol regulation. Then you force children to toke up in their classrooms against their will, because that's the REAL goal of all these liberal wack-jobs trying to legalize weed.

Anyone here been to Mendocino?

 

[sheic99]

Yes.

If they are able to sign for it in a clear state of mind.

"BUT WHUT DO U MEAN BY CLEAR?!"

That's where it get's all mucked up...

Basically, NOT what happened in Requiem for a Dream.

And if that person is in a coma?

Anyway, I actually wrote a mock bill for a mock congress thing about this a few years ago. My proposal was that the person in question would have to be terminally ill or in a coma. If he or she could not give consent, his or her closest relative would decide. If that person has no relatives, friends. If you can't satisfy any of those things, pull the plug. The person is taking up valuable resources and hospital space.
(Yes, I realize this is kind of unethical)

If somebody is in a vegetative state, then the family can ask the doctor to remove a person from life support, as the are brain dead,

 

[wewontdie11]

Yea if a person wants to die, and they are sure 100%. It's pretty permanent but it's that person's life and they can end it if they so choose. Hell I know when the time comes I'd rather die on my terms than those of old age or a fatal disease.

 

[chimmers]

If there is no chance of recovery then i wouldnt want to be kept alive, i would hate wasting bedspace that people who will get better need.

Nice, was not expecting laughter when I clicked this topic.
But in some cases euthanasia seems like a good idea, bit of a grey area though. Would cause a lot of problems if implemented here.

EDIT

Meant to click this post:

If I should ever fall into a vegetative state, please, for the love of god, don't let me appear on TV.

Now I feel a little bit stupid...can I blame tiredness?

 

[Hunde Des Krieg]

If I should ever fall into a vegetative state, please, for the love of god, don't let me appear on TV.

I'll just shoot you in the head. I'm a cool dude like that (unless you wanted to live.)

Anyway, yes. It should be an option, and I like the card idea someone put forth.

South Park Reference. They make it seem all about whether or not Kenny's wishes had to do with living or dying but in the end it had to do with not wanting to be exposed.

But yeah I'd want to die.

 

[SomeBritishDude]

If I should ever fall into a vegetative state, please, for the love of god, don't let me appear on TV.

Love South Park

 

[implodingMan]

Every time this topic comes up, on any of the forums I post on, I post this link.

http://www.watoday.com.au/national/this-is-angelique-she-wanted-to-die-with-dignity-20080913-4fqi.html?page=-1

If you want to die you should be allowed to die with dignity.

 

[Good morning blues]

What to do with you once you're in a persistent vegetative state should be outlined in your Will. If you haven't prepared a will, the decision should fall to the person who has your power of attorney.

 

[mokes310]

Yes, it should be legal, no question about it.

 

[SquirrelPants]

If I should ever fall into a vegetative state, please, for the love of god, don't let me appear on TV.

PAHAHAHAHA! I love that episode.

Anyway, I believe that euthanasia should be legal. It's not murder, it's just as much murder as killing one of the suffering, dying animals is.
I do rather like the card carrier idea. If someone carries this card, or has one registered, then, under the correct conditions(which I haven't thought up yet), the Mercy Killing would take place.

God, I miss my Companion Cube...

 

[Fronken]

I think assisted-suicide is something that should be legal, i recently read up on Dr. Kevorkian (spelling?), and i honestly didnt see what he did wrong, if (for example) an old person is sick and dont want to live anymore, but wants to go out in a peaceful manner, why shouldnt they be allowed to get the help to get their last wish fulfilled?

I really hate the fact that bible-humpers out there want it banned, i mean who's body is it?, it's Their body, not Your body.

So to keep myself short: Assisted-suicide/Euthanasia is something that should be legal for those who choose it.

And when it comes to people in vegetative states:

What to do with you once you're in a persistent vegetative state should be outlined in your Will. If you haven't prepared a will, the decision should fall to the person who has your power of attorney.

 

[cuddly_tomato]

Easy one to talk about, difficult to impliment. Remember that doctors really don't like putting people down, and have a tendancy to try to spin you out for as long as possible.

For all practical purposes I reckon that people should have the option to turn down medical help to prolong their life while being allowed pain medication, and let whatever ails them take them. The main problem with allowing euthanasia is the potential for abuse (example: Dignitas [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article5006805.ece]). If it is brought in it should definitely be something under governmental control.

 

[Fronken]

If I should ever fall into a vegetative state, please, for the love of god, don't let me appear on TV.

I'll just shoot you in the head. I'm a cool dude like that (unless you wanted to live.)

Anyway, yes. It should be an option, and I like the card idea someone put forth.

South Park Reference. They make it seem all about whether or not Kenny's wishes had to do with living or dying but in the end it had to do with not wanting to be exposed.

But yeah I'd want to die.

Man, everyone got that reference but me. I guess I should start watching TV again...

Yes, Yes you should. ^^

 

[johnman]

If there is no chance of recovery then i wouldnt want to be kept alive, i would hate wasting bedspace that people who will get better need.

Nice, was not expecting laughter when I clicked this topic.
But in some cases euthanasia seems like a good idea, bit of a grey area though. Would cause a lot of problems if implemented here.

Once again my terrible speeling and grammer is show.