Doctor assisted suicide. Are you for it or against it?

[dawny0826]

Those in the medical profession make a commitment to saving lives, not taking them away. For those suffering from mental health issues, depression and the many extensions thereof - the medical community is obligated to provide care and support.

In terminal situations, I do believe that an individual should have the right to die with dignity, but, I could not condone a law that would require a medical professional to assist with euthanasia if it violated their professional or personal ethics.

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

Those in the medical profession make a commitment to saving lives, not taking them away. For those suffering from mental health issues, depression and the many extensions thereof - the medical community is obligated to provide care and support.

In terminal situations, I do believe that an individual should have the right to die with dignity, but, I could not condone a law that would require a medical professional to assist with euthanasia if it violated their professional or personal ethics.

Yes, based on historical traditions, we have the Hippocratic Oath and the ethical code of the AMA and so on--our Western culture fears death so much that we really don't want doctors, nurses or other health professionals to deal with the inevitable. But our society is changing, recognizing that sometimes "healing" would be dealing with the inevitable head-on and honestly, and not trying to extend life a few more hours, days, weeks, or months when it cannot be done with quality and dignity.

 

[David1967]

Absolutely. I watched my grandfather, a once proud Marine, die slowly and painfully. Towards the end he would beg my father to die, he just wanted to go out with some dignity. That fact that he did not have that choice...there is something wrong with that. It's his life, he chose how to live it and should be able to choose how to end it.

I agree. I fail to see why some people feel that others should be forced to suffer horribly for as long as they can be medically kept alive, even against their wishes. Where is the dignity or compassion in that? And sorry to hear that about your Grandfather. No one should have to endure such.

 

[dawny0826]

Yes, based on historical traditions, we have the Hippocratic Oath and the ethical code of the AMA and so on--our Western culture fears death so much that we really don't want doctors, nurses or other health professionals to deal with the inevitable. But our society is changing, recognizing that sometimes "healing" would be dealing with the inevitable head-on and honestly, and not trying to extend life a few more hours, days, weeks, or months when it cannot be done with quality and dignity.

I come from a family of nurses, many of whom have worked in a hospital setting and attest to the importance of Advanced Health Care Directives by individuals. I feel that individuals should have the ability to die with dignity on their terms when in a terminal situation to include situations where life is only being sustained by machines. Not only does life support typically prolong the inevitable, it's costly for the family and taxing on the medical professionals who provide care.

Assisted suicide outside the parameters of terminal illness or life that's sustained by mechanics, is an entirely different type of situation, in my opinion. From a clinical perspective, a physician would have a plethora of options to exhaust to aid someone suffering with depression. Often, but, not always, it's a mental health patient's choice as to whether or not they take the steps necessary to improve or better cope with their condition. Mental Health care is incredibly convoluted.

 

[Oculus]

No problem. I'm been dealing with psych issues for most of my life at this point. I'm 26, so not as long as you, but they are severe. My depression is pretty crushing and I've been in the ER and psych facilities multiple times for being suicidal. It's left me functionally disabled and very socially isolated. Plus, it's common in my family. I really can understand where you're coming from, as I've mulled over the issue of whether people like us should have the right to assisted suicide, too. *hugs*

No problem. I'm been dealing with psych issues for most of my life at this point. I'm 26, so not as long as you, but they are severe. My depression is pretty crushing and I've been in the ER and psych facilities multiple times for being suicidal. It's left me functionally disabled and very socially isolated. Plus, it's common in my family. I really can understand where you're coming from, as I've mulled over the issue of whether people like us should have the right to assisted suicide, too. *hugs*

 

[jonathan180iq]

For it.

We deserve the dignity to decide when and how we die, should it come to that.

 

[Milton Platt]

Recently, I had to write a paper on a controversial topic. I searched abortion, GLBT relationships/marraiges, drugs, etc and I ended up reverting to doctor assisted suicide. I was just wondering what everyone's thoughts were on this.

Absolutely for it. With sufficient regulations, of course. And I fully admit, I have no ideal what those regulations should look like. But it's time to talk about it.

 

[McBell]

Absolutely for it. With sufficient regulations, of course. And I fully admit, I have no ideal what those regulations should look like. But it's time to talk about it.

Like these?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oregon_Ballot_Measure_16_(1994)