[RickJ]

Euthanasia means killing a person at his own will.

That is very different than what most dictionaries say is the definition :)

euthanasia definition | Dictionary.com

[Shelesh]

Euthanasia: mercy killing to prevent a prolonged and painful death.

[Shelesh]

There are four types of euthanasia:
1 - voluntary and direct
2 - voluntary but indirect
3 - direct but involuntary
4 - indirect and involuntary

Voluntary and direct euthanasia is chosen and carried out by the patient.

Voluntary but indirect euthanasia is chosen in advance.

Direct but involuntary euthanasia is done for the patient without his or her request.

Indirect and involuntary euthanasia occurs when a hospital decides that it is time to remove life support .


A few notes on what I read.

[artlady]

It should be between the patient (or the patients parent/legal guardian) and the Dr. Euthanasia should be a legal choice. I made it very clear to my wife and my parents that if for whatever reason I am only able to be kept "alive" by machines to take me off the machine's and let me die. Because lets be honest god did not make us to be kept alive by machines.

This past Tuesday a California man was seconds from having his life support halted when he came out of his coma.They are calling it a medical miracle.Gives one food for thought.

[spitvenom]

There is always that risk. But I am a gambler so I always take risk.

[artlady]

There is always that risk. But I am a gambler so I always take risk.

I hear you.I have made it clear I am not to be kept alive either on machines.I have seen what a horrible burden that is for the loved ones and I would not wish that on anyone.

[spitvenom]

I hear you.I have made it clear I am not to be kept alive either on machines.I have seen what a horrible burden that is for the loved ones and I would not wish that on anyone.

I think that is my thing to I don't want to be a burden.

[twinkiedooter]

I think that if an adult with all their mental facilities choose this course it should be allowable if they have a terminal condition and don't want to prolong their life as they are in too much physical pain. This definitely should be an option for some people to be allowed to choose to end their lives with dignity rather than become a vegetable or an extreme financial burden. If someone is ready mentally, have made their peace with the world, then they should be given this option. I know that my mother would have chosen this end rather than lingering in severe pain and debility for years. Each time she had a heart attack and was hospitalized and I would visit her in the Intensive Care she would look at me and ask me why didn't I just let her go. She wanted to go, but I selfishly would not let her but kept calling the paramedics to save her and take her to the hospital.

[earl237]

I think it definitely should be legal, it is not the government's or church's business if someone wants to end their own life. I think it is legal in the Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium. In the USA, only Washington and Oregon allow it and there are many restrictions.

[Shelesh]

The patient's freedom of choice cannot be guaranteed... you can never be sure the person is not under pressure from relatives; people dying are unlikely to be free to make rational decisions...

Don't you think the legalization and practice of euthanasia may discourage research into the relief of chronic pain?

[spitvenom]

Don't you think the legalization and practice of euthanasia may discourage research into the relief of chronic pain?

No I don't think it would stop research at all. Drug companies need to make new products to make money.

[Shelesh]

No I don't think it would stop research at all. Drug companies need to make new products to make money.

The fight against pain has been very productive for the medical profession, widespread euthanasia will take the pressure off them...

Research will not stop but there may be less determination to do so..

[spitvenom]

Research will not stop but there may be less determination to do so..

I disagree Drug companies will have to do more research to create strong pain medicine's. Then they have a marketing campaign to say hey there is no need to die because of pain this new and improved medicine lets you live an active life with pain better then any other medicine before.

[SukhBamrah]

My brother is a budding laywer and he has got an assignment to write on mercy killing and he has to oppose the motion and for that he needs cases, esp from India, in which there be cases of mercy killings opposed with force and kindly give me material so that I could help out my bro...

[SukhBamrah]

If u have relevant sources or authorities, cite them

[shazamataz]

There are so many people in great pain who actually wish for death and in cases of terminal illnesses, death is already knocking on their door... from personal experience, I think it should be an option.

[JudyKayTee]

My brother is a budding laywer and he has got an assignment to write on mercy killing and he has to oppose the motion and for that he needs cases, esp from India, in which there be cases of mercy killings opposed with force and kindly give me material so that I could help out my bro.....

He should do his own research - someday he's going to be in Court and somebody is going to ask him a question and he should know how to find the answer.

You can't be serious?

[JudyKayTee]

This past Tuesday a California man was seconds from having his life support halted when he came out of his coma.They are calling it a medical miracle.Gives one food for thought.

And these are the news articles, correct or not, that make those of us who have had to make this terrible decision, have signed the papers and watched a life end, wake up in the middle of the night, sobbing and wondering if - one more day? One more hour? Was it the right decision? What if, what if, what if - ?

I don't see an easy answer here.