Human rights or Moral Dilemna

human rights issue. we should all be allowed to do with our bodies as we see fit. i certainly dont need the state telling me i cant. i feel so bad for this guy. torture.

It is one of these unfortunate circumstances, where someone who is apparently lucid and otherwise in their right mind want to make a decision to kill themselves to avoid suffering the long term debilitations of their condition.

If we were all a society of rational beings, this wouldn't be an issue - the problem is that we are not. Many people are not aware, but it's been documented in the Netherlands, where there is legalized euthanasia, approximately 25% of cases where it has been administered the patient had not requested it. If this were to become normalized, how many elderly or disabled people might be finding themselves pressured by medical personnel, or even family members, to consider an early exit? In Canada, and in Britain (I am Canadian btw) many elderly patients don't receive the same standard of care because it is easier in a system of socialized medicine if they just died. Many times, as much through omission as commission, tests and treatments are delayed in the hopes that the patient just quietly shuffles off their mortal coil.

This is one place where the law of unintended consequences can have serious implications. Think very carefully about what you're asking for here.

that made me really sad. if they were in his situation i bet they would want the same thing. it's his own body. he should be able to do what he wants with it.

agree with previous poster totally.

I thing we try to give ourselves too many rights. I don't think any one has promised us a "right to die". Death is not something we should be in control of.

Its not just a case of 'his body his right', he wants to ask his doctors to kill him...we need to think very carefully before we have a change in law that gives anyone the legal right to end someones life.

I do feel for the man but he can refuse treatment, he can refuse food and water, but to ask a doctor to end someones life by action rather than inaction is simply wrong...the doctors Hippocratic oath begins....first do no harm.

How long before people bribe doctors..kill her off and I'll share the money with you, as a society too many people are corruptible to allow this change in law yet.

Just my personal opinion

martyxx

It's a very sad situation. Too often, people place the value of human life on productivity. His life may seem not worth living to others and even himself, but I do not support euthanasia. I believe his life has meaning, even in the condition he is in. We may not understand what that meaning is, but I just can't support ending a life because it's not viewed as "worth living".

I think this is my stance as well. (In this case) This isn't a case where somebody is terminal. He has just deemed himself not worthy of living. The slippery slope here is who determines who's life is not worthy. What criteria in law could be set to decide who lives and who dies based on worthiness to society. Do we start killing off all the people with severe mental disabilities who are not productive in society.

As an adult, he should absolutely be able to make the choice of whether or not he himself has to continue living in a life he deems unworthy. I understand the idea of the "slippery slope" of people making choices for others, and I can understand that, but once you pass the age of eighteen, I believe you should absolutely be able to ask doctors for euthanasia if you are able to consent, which this man clearly is.

Instead, he's now going to be forced to live his days out in suffering, because people are too soft to deal with the concept of mortality and the fact that maybe life isn't always some beautiful miracle - sometimes, death might be preferable. This man isn't suggesting all people with his condition (or any debilitating condition) be euthanised, just himself in his own situation.

A sound-minded individual should absolutely be able to decide if their own life is worth living.

But, can we really say that someone who is suicidal, depressed, or in grave pain is of "sound mind"? I just don't know that we don't have a moral responsiblity to provide comfort instead of condoning people killing themselves for whatever reason. I cannot imagine what it's like to live as he is, but I can still believe his life has value.

I thing we try to give ourselves too many rights. I don't think any one has promised us a "right to die". Death is not something we should be in control of.

Whaaat? We want too many rights? What country do you live in. I would like all the freedoms I can get and then some. Yes, I believe all people should be allowed to decide when it's time to end it. We put pets out of their misery, but people must suffer endlessly for years. My whole family knows to pull the plug on me without hesitation.

Very slippery slope when governments start endorsing death rather than protecting life.

Anyone remember the Terry Schiavo case from a few years back? That convinced me to put a Living Will on file with my doctor, my attorney, and a couple of like-minded friends. My wife did the same. Quality of life is important; I put down my pets when they are sick with no hope of recovery. I would want someone to do the same for me.