Assisted Suicide

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

100% support

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Assisted suicide certainly. Euthanasia has more troubling elements, but no problem with assisted suicide.

Assisted suicide is euthanasia.  And I oppose it.  I understand why some people might want it, but there's always treatment options available (i.e. therapy, ECT, etc.)

Yes, sure, I can watch my body rot away from chemo and radiation?  Thanks but no thanks.  You can do it, don't ask me to.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

VERY STRONGLY support.

Forcing someone who wants to die to remain alive is one of the most morally abominable things I can think of.

What makes you think the choice will only be made by the patient?

Hum... Because that's the whole point of assisted suicide?

I think "choice" is more complicated than you appear to make it.

Tell me, what is to stop an understaffed and crowded hospital or even a patient's own family from pressuring an ill person to just go ahead and die? I also fail to think of any viable mechanisms to prevent such an abuse.

He probably wouldn't have ended up in an understaffed overcrowded hospital on his death bed if he had a choice beforehand......I really think families would try and talk more of their relatives out of assisted suicide, than into it.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

VERY STRONGLY support.

Forcing someone who wants to die to remain alive is one of the most morally abominable things I can think of.

What makes you think the choice will only be made by the patient?

Hum... Because that's the whole point of assisted suicide?

I think "choice" is more complicated than you appear to make it.

Tell me, what is to stop an understaffed and crowded hospital or even a patient's own family from pressuring an ill person to just go ahead and die? I also fail to think of any viable mechanisms to prevent such an abuse.

He probably wouldn't have ended up in an understaffed overcrowded hospital on his death bed if he had a choice beforehand......I really think families would try and talk more of their relatives out of assisted suicide, than into it.

I'd like to think so too, but if even one band of selfish ers tried to bully their elderly into just giving up would be too much for me.

I do admit sympathy for the other side of the issue though.

Well, look, there is no win/win situation, but countries in Europe have this stuff down to a science with little problems and have been permitting it for a long long time.  My main objection to not allowing it is, most everyone (sans accidents, massive heart attacks, etc.....) gets to die a horrible death.  

There is no "right" answer here.....you either favor it or you don't, and add whatever caveats you like.  I doubt I'll live to see it become legal so I need to plan my own way out

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

For those who have concerns about this assisted suicide being forced on someone, do you think following the procedures of other countries who have had it for a long period of time would ease your concerns?

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

FYI

http://health.yahoo.net/news/s/ap/assisted-suicide-on-legal-agenda-in-several-states

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

I really don't need assistance to off myself. Thanks.

Not to be macabre but... you might need it some day. And so can I. If I even find myself not in the situation to choose how and when to end my life, I would want someone to do it on my behalf.

To be macabre, Torie, you know that plenty of things can come upon you suddenly which will render you inable to put that massive heroin ball in your arm.