Euthanasia.

[The Chauvinist]

So what does everybody think about Euthanasia? Voluntary etc...?

[Scáthach]

In an ideal world, yes, but the risks are too high. i.e. a dying person in a weak frame of mind with an inheritance to give could be cajoled into agreeing with it by a family member, etc. It's a worst case scenario yes but the risks are still high in many respects.

[whitemale]

I think there is a place for it in society, especially for those who are terminally ill and in a lot of pain - it (to me) seems the civilized thing to do.

[OdinsVolk100%]

I think there is a place for it in society, especially for those who are terminally ill and in a lot of pain - it (to me) seems the civilized thing to do.

excately when you take a good look at that scenario its the only option

[Milesian]

Personally I'm against it.
The arguments for voluntary Euthansia are the same as those put forward in the 1960's for abortion.

the lie then was that it would be done purely on medical grounds such as if the mother's life was in danger. Claims by anti-abortionists that it would end up being done "on demand" were rubbished as utterly ridiculous.
Today, the vast majority of cases are "Social Abortion" (ie. abortion on demand).

The same argument is made now about euthansia, namely that it would be done as "Mercy Killings" to alleviate the suffering of the terminally ill.
But again, there is no reason to stop there. Soon people who are depressed will also be claiming the right to end their lives. How can you argue against that when you already allow people in terminal pain with a "Low Quality of Life"? Depressives could claim the same thing.
From there I don't think it too much of a jump to go to involuntary euthansia. I'm sure the usual sophistry wil be used to justify it sooner or later.

As it is, terminally ill people I have known such as cancer patients have been very thankful for hospices where their pain can be controlled with analgesics and allows them to live out the rest of their lives with dignity.

I agree with Scáthach that the danger is too great.
I don't think anyone has the authority to make arbitary decisions on who has sufficient "quality of life" to live and who doesn't.

For those in terminal pain, there are viable alternatives.

[OdinsVolk100%]

there is nothing the same about Euthanasia and abortion...Euthanasia is nessessary and the only option when its called for and abortion is nothing but an unnessessary dangerous waste

[Milesian]

there is nothing the same about Euthanasia and abortion

Human intervention to terminate a life.
Abortion basically amounts to euthansia in the womb



...Euthanasia is nessessary

How so?



and the only option when its called for

In what situation?


and abortion is nothing but an unnessessary dangerous waste

I could think of situations where a better argument could be made for abortion but on the whole I would agree with you, yes.

[green nationalist]

If someone wants to kill themselves they should be allowed do it.
If a family wants to kill a sick reletive then they should not be allowed do it.
If a mothers life is in danger then abortion should be allowed,
In cases of rape, unwanted pregenancy, disabled retarded babys, Abortion should not be allowed.

As for Human intervention in terminating a life, That is applicable when defending your home or family against hostile force but not to kill your family because its too much of a pain in the ass to keep them alive.

Its not so black and white, but if im 95 years old riddled with cancer and the morphine cant keep the pain away, hand me a gun quick Ill end it there and then.

If the merits of continuing life outway the merits of ending life then one should live.
If the merits of ending life outway the merits of continuing life then one should die.

[Milesian]

To be honest with you, if it wasn't for my religious beliefs then I'd be inclined to more or less agree with you :)

[West]

Life is without doubt precious….its the most precious commodity we’ve got….but it isn’t priceless….if a person is confined to his body, has no escape from the pain & they deem life to unendurable then under those conditions then I’d consent to euthanasia…

I’m dubious when the state tries to intervene too much on man’s instinctive jurisdiction over his own life…..if the man is of sound mind & emphatic in this respect & no others are seriously injured then he should be able to with his life what he sees fit…..

A lesser example of this is a someone’s right to risk their life in a dangerous sport for instance, with the full knowledge they might be killed…

I judge abortion to be quite different, as the child in question cannot be asked for his views …..

[Milesian]

Life is without doubt precious….its the most precious commodity we’ve got….but it isn’t priceless….if a person is confined to his body, has no escape from the pain & they deem life to unendurable then under those conditions then I’d consent to euthanasia…

It should be remembered that hospices today have an extremely good level of pain control available to them and most terminally ill cancer patients can end out their lives relatively comfortably and in a lucid state.

I would favour more funding for such hospices and improving their level of medication and care rather than resorting to mercy killings, although I do understand the point you are making.

[na Gaeil is gile]

Kevin O'Keeffe made a good point over on Original Dissent in regards the case currently filling the American media:

"[W]hile clearly Ms. Schiavo is unlikely to benefit in any meaningful way from being fed & hydrated via tube, society benefits from maintaining the standard that ones does not deny food & water to the sick."