I am not here referring specifically to the Schiavo case, so I hope this thread does not become another thread about that specific case.

If someone states in writing that they do not want to kept alive by artificial means (and they describe adequately exactly what they mean by "artificial means"), and the situation they describe does in fact come about, does everyone on this board agree that they should be killed?

If you don't agree, why not?

I believe there's a difference between declining medical assistance and being killed. Killed implies a forceful act that terminates life.

painlessly and with dignity (say by lethal injection) even though he might be in perfect health, why should he not have the right to do so?  If someone gets all his affairs in order and then wants to end his life, why not?  I certainly know what the religious faction in America will say, but I'm asking this question of those who I assume are enlightened enough to think for themselves.  I am also aware that working out the details of something like this is a long way off, but in my view, at least I hope it's getting near the outer edges of the radar screen.

I have no problem with that IF it is in writing.

Anyone who is in perfect health and wants to kill themselves is obviously mentally ill and needs help.

might choose to end his life.  Running out of financial resources, sheer boredom in old age, loss of loved ones, etc.  You may choose to call it mental illness or depression if you wish, but I've seen a few cases in my life where these terms simply don't apply.  The people involved were just tired of living, and would have welcomed a peaceful and painless death.  They were ready to die - they were not mentally ill and they did not need help.  If you believe in freedom of the individual, why can't suicide be a part of that?

I should be the one who gets to decide when and how I die even if that means taking a lethal dose of something to ease my suffering on my death bed. End of story.

about the legality of suicide when they were video taping themselves blowing their brains out.

Does anyone who commits suicide worry about whether or not it's LEGAL? I don't think so.

Giving suicide a legal blessing might mean that INSURANCE companies would have to pay out on policies to beneficiaries if insured policy holders started blowing their brains out.  Premiums on term life insurance WOULD GO THRU THE ROOF!

nO WAY NO WAY! We should always go by the philosophy of where there is life there is hope.  If a person does not want heroic measures taken to prolong life--FINE AND DANDY.

I've had that crap in my will for over 15 years.  That's different from Dr. Kavorkian measures.  Now if a person with cancer wants to die in less pain, they should be given as much morphine they can have without the morphine killing them.

Give suicide an official blessing--NO WAY.

For example, a lethal injection.

I'm still confused. Can you identify a category of "killing."

    1. Should a person be allowed to die? In other words, on their own fail to act or allow others to act to treat some lethal condition. (Surgery, take medication, exercise)

    2. Should a person be allowed to do an act that results in death? (Suicide, expedite their terminal condition, smoke, etc.)

    3. Should a person that wants to end their life be allowed assistance? (lethal injection, other Kevorkian (sp) activity).


I believe category 1 is allowed to happen on a daily basis if an adult is otherwise deemed sane. Category 2 is discouraged and if found to be an immediate threat - an otherwise healthy person is committed. As best I can tell, Category 3 is prohibited.

Unless your looking for a response like "a person should be able to die at will" or the "government should insist that people live as long as possible," you might want to narrow the question.




-- Modified on 3/25/2005 12:17:18 AM

All three should be permitted.  Yes, a person should be able to die at will.

Any restrictions? If not, I see a business opportunity. I’m thinking about starting a franchise of “Zeppy’s Death Emporiums.”  How’s this sound, “Life got you down? Let Zeppy take you out.” I’ll hire some kid at minimum wage to inject or shoot any customers we can coax in off the street.

But in the end, people are free to make their own decision.




-- Modified on 3/26/2005 6:26:08 AM

Who pays for those?

As a practical matter, how does the state prevent suicide? It's kind of like regulating sexual activity among adults. I still believe suicide should be discouraged absent extraordinary circumstances.

The assisted suicide aspect concerns me. Think about it.

    "Yes, Mrs. Epstein, it's all good and well that you've assisted your husband in moving on, so to speak. We are a bit troubled you happened to find out about his "hobby" one day prior."

    "It was very compassionate for you to put your ailing parents out of their misery, Jr.. Your a good son - wealthy now as well."  






-- Modified on 3/26/2005 6:35:57 PM

-- Modified on 3/26/2005 8:58:57 PM

if that's how they feel, e.g. working on talking someone out of it.  But in the end, as I said, people make their own decision.

Not sure what you mean by the "assisted suicides" you mention in your two examples, but they don't sound like suicide to me.

"Not sure what you mean by the 'assisted suicides' you mention in your two examples, but they don't sound like suicide to me."

After your proclamation that people can die at will we’ve been so busy collecting bodies there’s no time to sort out whether the “assist” was motivated by benign reasons or whether some other motive entered into the picture.

For Pete’s sake, what did your legislative analyst say at the time you proposed this law?

Being busy isn't a good enough excuse for not doing so.

"Being busy isn't a good enough excuse for not doing so."

Fair enough. Can you lend us a hand?

We've pretty much gone full circle on this. Your comfortable with the concept of "death at will." Fine. My concern is with the details. How does it play out? It would be grand if we all could avoid Schiavo type events in the future.

well-written assisted suicide laws in the future.  I am talking about suicides in which action is taken to end someone's life (e.g. lethal injection), and not just "pulling the plug" on a life support system.

Also, people should also be made aware of how they can use Advance Directives and DNR's.







-- Modified on 3/28/2005 3:59:54 PM

Got any well-written assisted suicide laws?

Follow the links to "Rules and Statutes" to read the text.

Yep. I have no objection to their scheme.

The US Supreme Court agreed to review the case after the appellate court said A.G. John Ashcroft overstepped his authority when he proclaimed that Oregon doctors who wrote lethal prescriptions no longer could prescribe federally controlled substances.

Ashcroft, overstepping his authority? No, say it isn't so.