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Athens · Jan 30, 2005, 07:27 AM

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/natio...de-050128.html

Assisted Suicide. I personal think this should be allowed as long as the personl is mentally ok and in great pain. Its legal to kill yourself, but what if you are unable to because of a injury or your dease has gotten so bad its impossible to carry it out yourself. Of course im not sure how well it would work allowing doctors the right to decide because hospitals could use that as a way to save costs. And in the US with medical costing so much it may be a different issue all together with family memebers under extreme finacial burden. But im sure a system could be worked out to minimize those 2 factors.

Sherwin · Jan 30, 2005, 07:41 AM

No.

Athens · Jan 30, 2005, 07:46 AM

Originally posted by Sherwin:
No.

care you explain why you are against it?

Face Ache · Jan 30, 2005, 07:48 AM

Where there's a will, there's a way.

(so keep the contents of your will secret)

Salah al-Din · Jan 30, 2005, 07:56 AM

Originally posted by Athens:
Its legal to kill yourself,

Actually in most countries it's illegal.

Athens · Jan 30, 2005, 08:04 AM

Originally posted by Salah al-Din:
Actually in most countries it's illegal.

Ya but not assisted, and thats what the next major debate here will be after gay marrage.

Sherwin · Jan 30, 2005, 08:13 AM

Originally posted by Athens:
care you explain why you are against it?

My IQ comes in three digits.

Scientist · Jan 30, 2005, 09:58 AM

Originally posted by Sherwin:
My IQ comes in three digits.

Then prove it. Why are you against it?

Athens · Jan 30, 2005, 12:01 PM

Originally posted by Sherwin:
My IQ comes in three digits.

Would that be 009?

Millennium · Jan 30, 2005, 01:28 PM

Actually, it's technically illegal to kill yourself, but since no one can do anything about it if you're successful (seeing as, after all, you're already dead), it doesn't really come up as an issue.

As with do-not-resuscitate orders, the problem is proving that this is actually what the person wants, and that the person is not being coerced or manipulated into it. If there isn't a strict standard here, then coerced euthanasia can and will occur; there have already been cases in many districts where it is legal. Laws are a fine thing, but they must be carefully crafted to ensure that they do not create more crime. Most assisted-suicide laws aren't made carefully enough.

Athens · Jan 30, 2005, 02:10 PM

Originally posted by Millennium:
Actually, it's technically illegal to kill yourself, but since no one can do anything about it if you're successful (seeing as, after all, you're already dead), it doesn't really come up as an issue.

As with do-not-resuscitate orders, the problem is proving that this is actually what the person wants, and that the person is not being coerced or manipulated into it. If there isn't a strict standard here, then coerced euthanasia can and will occur; there have already been cases in many districts where it is legal. Laws are a fine thing, but they must be carefully crafted to ensure that they do not create more crime. Most assisted-suicide laws aren't made carefully enough.

In Canada its not illegal to kill yourself, just to help some one kill themselves.

Kilbey · Jan 30, 2005, 02:27 PM

We already have forced homicide. Abortion.

We don't need assisted suicide. Even if a single person were killed to save money or ease someone else's suffering it is wrong.

Kilbey · Jan 30, 2005, 02:29 PM

Originally posted by Athens:
In Canada its not illegal to kill yourself, just to help some one kill themselves.

So, for those people who attempt suicide and aren't successful, yet have HUGE medical bills that the tax payers have to pay, they should not be charged with a crime?

In the USA, attempted suicide is illegal for this very reason.

idjeff · Jan 30, 2005, 02:57 PM

Originally posted by Millennium:
Actually, it's technically illegal to kill yourself, but since no one can do anything about it if you're successful (seeing as, after all, you're already dead), it doesn't really come up as an issue.

You know, I've heard that too. But if you try to kill yourself and aren't successful, will the authorties charge you with attempted murder? Obviously they don't, but that would fall in line with the logic of the law.

zerostar · Jan 30, 2005, 02:59 PM

Originally posted by Kilbey:
So, for those people who attempt suicide and aren't successful, yet have HUGE medical bills that the tax payers have to pay

Thats all fine and good. Same as doing brain surgery on someone without a license is and should be illegal.

I am open to discussion of formal medical-assisted suicide. Perhaps requirements should be in place same as if you wanted a vasectomy, etc.

I don't see the problem with an elderly person who is in grave pain wanting to end their life. We are all not afraid of death and if that is a comfort to them and to the family what is the problem with it?

SimpleLife · 03:18 PM

Originally posted by Millennium:
Actually, it's technically illegal to kill yourself, but since no one can do anything about it if you're successful (seeing as, after all, you're already dead), it doesn't really come up as an issue.

O.K. Let's open a parenthesis here.
(
My job, on a daily basis is to prevent suicide. Is it possible for people to erase the association "suicide=success" from their syntax or language?

Could we instead use the expression "completed suicide"?

Associating death from suicide to success is providing more reasons for people to use that way as a mean to resolve their problems. People can suicide on an impulse, although solutions are very clear or available for other people in the same environment. Often people are just too depressed to see them. People stuck in a cul-de-sac in their lives may contemplate suicide, but it is often the support from their environment (friends, family, Health professionals) that delay the act. We can avoid making it easier sometimes simply by taking another point of view on suicide, by talking differently about it.

Suicide cannot be success; suicide is stopping the fight for life. If you feel your life is wortless, that there is no future for yourself, that you are a failure, speak to someone who can help you. Don't keep these feelings in and talk to someone about it; there are solutions to get better.
)

Back on topic.

I think it is a person's decision to end his/her life. It is not mine to decide for others. People anouncing their intent (either clearly or unclearly) are most usually asking for help to avoid it.

People suffering a great deal should be provided with the means to end it, especially if they cannot do it themselves and the pain endured is beyond what can be humanely and medically managed.