Speaker Geeks! discussion

I just saw this so I'll post now.

A while back my Ethics teacher told me to attend a talk from this guy who went with his wife to Switzerland so she could commit suicide legally. It was part a talk and part a play. It was very good and I learned a lot and it was very touching. He did an impression of one of the fits his wife was having and it was horrifying, truly it will probably be lodged in my mind forever more. She was obliviously in a great deal of pain, he said it deteriorated over time until she was immobile and still in serious pain. It was then she made her choice, so they went to Switzerland where it is legal, after serious medical examination.

I saw this and knew if the person is in serious pain and is not going to show any signs of improvement then they should have the choice to end their life. However as is the case with many events like this the person is not able to think for themselves, and if we went by Kant's teaching we would allow them to die. But that is not the case, so I think they should be allowed to commit suicide or have someone aid them if they are unable legally.

The one thing that does make me feel slightly against this is that she was reading a book before she died, so she skipped to the end, but it was a preview for another book and she said, "Oh its just a book that I haven't finished." This I found hard to hear as it made me think that if you start a new book, you'll never get to finish it, its one of the things that makes me truly sad is the thought of an unfinished book.

I support people being able to choose when they die (I don't support suicide). Okay, I know that sounds really hypocritical, so let me explain. A lot of suicides happen with seemingly irrational an impulsive decisions (e.g a bad relationship, or lack of popularity). I believe we should intervene in these situations. But in situations where (a) someone just wants to die because there is no point in life anymore or (b) they are very ill, I think it should be their choice. I'd rather die with dignity.

Reviving

I support Euthanasia. There was a famous case in India about a nurse. She was raped 30 years ago and through that she went into coma because a chain was tied around hee neck while raping her which cut the supply of oxygen to her brain for few seconds and her brain became dead. So since 30 years, she is in coma, no improvement and neither any scope of improvement. She doesn't have any family, fellow nurses and hospital staff have been taking care of her for 30 years. They moved a plea for her mercy killing but after years of struggle it was rejected as Indian constituion doesn't give this right.

Now tell me friends, in this situation, wouldn't it have been right to grant mercy killing? I think it should have been right.

If someone is suffering needlessly, such as the woman in the above post, mercy killing should be granted.

I support euthanasia. I think it saves a person from too much suffering.

I support physician assisted suicide, but euthanasia requires a TON of regulations. I think if it is done right, it would be a very good idea.

I'm in favour of euthanasia. A person opts for this when she/he has no other way out for living. And I think they have the right to end their sufferings. It should be legalized.

I think it should be legal, but it should only be considered after everything else. I would even try the riskiest treatments and surgeries first, because with those there is at least a chance of living through it.