We euthanize our dying pets - do you believe we should offer assisted suicide to

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   ashleybunnposted 12 years ago

   We euthanize our dying pets - do you believe we should offer assisted suicide to the terminally ill?
   
   When our beloved pets are unable to function any more, we often euthanize them to end their suffering. If someone is terminally ill and suffering, perhaps even unable to get out of bed or care for themselves, should we offer them the same service by giving them right to end their lives if they choose? Do you think this would be morally sound or unacceptable?

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   screamingposted 12 years ago

   I believe quality of life is more important. If I was terminally ill and bedridden, I can only hope assisted suicide will be available if I'm unable to communicate my wishes. It's easy to say NO, but for those caregivers of terminally ill family members, they understand what I'm saying here. Sometimes I think keeping a terminally ill person alive is selfish of the family, especially if they knew the patients wishes. (Ducks, awaiting religeous attacks! lol)

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   MickSposted 12 years ago

   There are some people who treat pets as fashion accesories and euthanise them when they go out of fashion, or become an inconvenience, how long before that sort of attitude of inconvenience rubs off on the terminally ill?

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      DrMark1961posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Good point. I remember a couple bringing in their old dog to euthanize it because they were going on vacation to Hawaii and had not found a caretaker willing to keep up with the meds. If they had an old parent on meds?

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      ashleybunnposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      You have a very good point, Mick. For anything like this to fly, it would have to be strict law that no family members, doctors, or whoever could decide to end the life of a patient - the patient must be in their right mind & must decide personal

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      Alison D Adamsposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I have a cat w/cancer @ home now. She has 1-3 mos left. With medications she can be at home and be comfortable. She plants herself w/her favorite toy (a purple spider) in the window in office and purrs when fed thru feeding tube. Enjoys a brushing.

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   Author Cherylposted 12 years ago

   Yes I think humans should be able to be euthanized as well.  Its wrong and sad to keep people alive who are in pain, suffering and can not do anything for themselves.  I wouldnt let my animals live this way so why should I have too.

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   Mazzy Boleroposted 12 years ago

   It happens already, but not openly, especially in geriatric and cancer wards.  Mostly, it's done for compassionate reasons.  The dilemma is that, while we want to allow people the right to end their suffering, making it open and legal just might leave elderly or chronically sick people feeling pressurized, whether openly or not, to end their lives for financial reasons. 
   
   Asking for their consent is also a problem if they have dementia, for instance. They can give instructions prior to developing dementia, but how do doctors know they didn't change their mind?  Also, serious illness takes a great emotional toll and can lead to depression - can you trust a decision made in those circumstances?
   
   There are obvious cases where assisted suicide seems the most humane and reasonable course to take. Of course they should be allowed to leave this world with dignity. However, the problem will always be those grey areas: how do we word the law to enable those who need to end their lives to do so, without inadvertently catching others in that net?

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   Seeker7posted 12 years ago

   Yes we should. I love my dogs very, very much and I'm glad that when their end comes, it is pain free, relaxed, fear-free and with dignity. Why shouldn't people have the same?
   
   After being a nurse for 25 years, seeing the pain, trauma and fear that many patients have went through month after month, I totally support a person's right to end their life when they decide they have had enough. Even in the 21st century there is no guarantee that a person will die a pain free, fear free and dignified death through conventional channels. Therefore, I would support their right to choose unconventional methods.

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   mjkearnposted 12 years ago

   I am totally in favour of this. While someone is facing as close to certain death as can be medically established and are still of sound mind and make this most understandable request, why on earth isn't it allowed.
   
   Why are we not in control of our own passing. I would go further and say if anyone wanted to terminate their existence why can't they.
   
   If a loved one of mine were in such a terminal situation and asked for my help I believe I would do all in my power to grant their wish. Not nor never having been in such a situation I don't know for sure what I would do but knowing me as I do, breaking the law for someone I love wouldn't be a big concern,
   MJ.

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      ashleybunnposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Very well said, mj. I certainly do think that it's more than a bit strange that people aren't given control over their own deaths. I think you're a very admirable person to be open to aiding a loved one in such a massive way.

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   photographybyarposted 12 years ago

   Oh wow this hits home for me. We recently watched my grandmother wither away over the course of a year. Her quality of life was decreasing everyday, she was bedridden, and her last surgery ended up taking almost all of her intestines, so she would lose everything she ate. Finally, she refused the TPN (food through the ivs) and said she was "ready to go home." Her spirit was already gone it seemed but her body still kept ticking. There would be times she would beg for us to turn her machines off so she could be done suffering, but she wasn't hooked to any machines. I think a person should have the right to an assisted suicide. If there is a cure obviously I'd say try everything before resorting to this option but in people like the case of my grandmother, where there is no quality of life I say go for it. There are times I wanted to just give her a pill that would make her go to sleep. She even would beg me to let her go, like I had control of that. But yes, I think if the person has exhausted their options and they are bedridden with no quality of life, let them go if they want to. I know I wouldn't want to be bedridden, in pain, and not be able to enjoy anything anymore.

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   emilyzeinertposted 10 years ago

   My best friend is terminally ill with a rare genetic disease and should be afforded the opportunity to die with dignity, in peace and with no concerns for effectiveness.

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