Euthanasia

[bearycool]

The title is self-explanatory, and I'll keep this OP short and sweet: the assistance of death to make it as painless as possible. Think of what you do for your old pets, etc.

As for my opinion on the matter, I'm completely okay with it, and it shouldn't be such a taboo thing. It just makes death much scarier than it is if we make it taboo, and creates more pain than necessary.

 

[Mesh Gear Fox]

I am an adamant supporter of legalizing physician-assisted suicide. I've seen far too many people die needlessly long and painful deaths. Death isn't always a bad thing and there's no virtue in suffering needlessly. I wish more docs in mainstream medicine in the US felt this way. It is a huge taboo and is something that is dealt with by complete avoidance. You get labeled a kook if you make your views known, so it's just best not to say anything to anyone.

 

[autisticdragonkin]

I think that all the arguments against voluntary euthanasia (of terminally ill persons) is completely baseless and I think that if people were to simply decide to have euthanasia at a certain time once they become sick enough I think that it will be much better for almost everyone (as well as much cheaper)

I think that involuntary euthanasia is unacceptable because it is declaring someone's life to not be of value when only a person themselves can say how valuable their life is (to themselves) so it infringes upon their autonomy

 

[Lugal]

I strongly support the right to assisted suicide in cases of terminal illness. I think the idea of forcing someone to keep on living, in unbearable agony, with no hope of recovery, is absolutely vile. This is one circumstance in which I just don't see how a decent, reasonable person could possibly disagree.

 

[Coldgrip]

China doesn't need any more kids.

 

[autisticdragonkin]

China doesn't need any more kids.

Something called birth control is used in China and that allows it to have a lower population growth than the USA

 

[Andy27]

I am theoretically in favor of the right to euthanasia, but if it is to be applied in practice it must be accompanied by very strong safeguards to ensure no abuse of the system.

 

[autisticdragonkin]

I am theoretically in favor of the right to euthanasia, but if it is to be applied in practice it must be accompanied by very strong safeguards to ensure no abuse of the system.

What is the abuse of the system that you have in mind (assuming only voluntary euthanasia)

 

[TowinKarz]

Terminal patients effectively choose it already by withdrawing treatment/medication. There's no reason why they shouldn't, if possessed of clear consciousness and mind, have it as an option in and of itself without the painful lingering.

 

[AnOminous]

What is the abuse of the system that you have in mind (assuming only voluntary euthanasia)

Being pressured into it while not of sound mind through undue influence by heirs greedy for getting their inheritance immediately, or motivated by the fear that they will lose it through end of life medical expenses.

 

[Andy27]

What is the abuse of the system that you have in mind (assuming only voluntary euthanasia)

Pretty much what Anominous mentioned above, undue pressure from greedy heirs or from some "overzealous" doctor with a savior / angel of death complex.

 

[autisticdragonkin]

Being pressured into it while not of sound mind through undue influence by heirs greedy for getting their inheritance immediately, or motivated by the fear that they will lose it through end of life medical expenses.

Wouldn't the latter be a legitimate reason to go through with it on the part of the person though? They don't want to put too much financial strain on their families

 

[Sanshain]

I fully support voluntary euthanasia for the terminally ill. Doctors are far too zealous about trying to wring just one more day of life from cancer patients, even when the suffering they're undergoing could arguably qualify as torture. Several of my relatives have stated in the past that should they ever be diagnosed with a fatal condition they'd put their remaining independent lifespan to productive use, then seek a dignified but quick death as opposed to a long and financially ruinous stay in hospital.

In my personal experience, the perception of death is the main deciding factor in the euthanasia/no euthanasia argument. Personally, I have zero fear of death itself, so I don't have any desire to cling to an agonizing existence that benefits nobody but myself. On the other hand, some people have such an inability to accept the prospect of nonexistence they go to completely irrational lengths to prolong their stay in the land of the living.

My only problems with the legalization of euthanasia is that it might become seen as a 'quick out' by those with debilitating but non-life-threatening conditions. There would need to be very strict oversight to the procedures, especially in regards to making sure that relatives didn't put undue pressure on the victim to take one course over another. It is, ultimately, a personal decision.

 

[KingGeedorah]

I'm cool with it. Fuck this gay Earth.

 

[LazarusOwenhart]

What is the abuse of the system that you have in mind (assuming only voluntary euthanasia)

Elderly relatives with terminal illnesses who become a perceived burden to their families may be coerced into signing consent forms for euthanasia even if they themselves aren't entirely willing to die. Younger people who become ill with terminal/degenerative diseases may feel obliged to euthanize themselves. Those are two examples I can think of.

 

[Melkor]

From personal experience, it's incredibly painful to watch a pet or a loved one pass away naturally, especially if you're a very sensitive person when it comes to things like this.

I think, if it makes the dying more comfortable, then all the power to them in their final hours. It's quick and painless, and also entirely ethical.

 

[millais]

euthanasia is the first step to eugenics, which is where we should be heading anyway. people opposed to euthanasia are blocking the way of progress

 

[autisticdragonkin]

euthanasia is the first step to eugenics, which is where we should be heading anyway. people opposed to euthanasia are blocking the way of progress

Why should we move to eugenics? Society doesn't exist so society doesn't benefit from eugenics so my question is who does and why should we care about that person?

 

[Roast Chicken]

I support it; we're merciful enough to give our pets a peaceful death when they're suffering but people aren't allowed the same mercy even when they ask for it? It's not right to me. At the moment in the UK, if you're terminally ill you'll be pumped full of painkillers until your organs fail or you you prefer, you can deny yourself food and water until you die - which seems medieval to me.

 

[ScrewTheRules]

I know of several people who would make great arguments for euthanasia...

Inappropriate gallows humor aside, if I ever get to the point where I'm that ill I can't go to the bathroom by myself and there's no chance of recovery, I'm locking myself in there with a box of Durex and huffing latex until I die of anaphylaxis, and I don't think that option should be taken away from anyone else even if they don't have horrifying allergies to do the job for them.
Granted, there is some risk of people being coerced into it by greedy relatives or sociopathic doctors, which is why certain protocols and safeguards need to be put in place, including some amount of mandatory counseling to make sure the person has really thought about what they're doing, but it is doable and there are countries where this is already legal and functions perfectly fine as far as I'm aware.