Let's look at Euthanasia for humans....it's time.

[Erika]

We force loved ones to endure the final stages of death waiting for a natural breakdown of organs. We know our animals at their end cannot recover and we give them an injection to quietly and painlessly let them pass on.

Why do we allow our animals to exit so gracefully while we force humans to endure to the end? The time for euthanasia as a kindness to end the life of one with no recovery is now here.

[tridim]

1. Agreed.. It's way past time

Dr. Kevorkian is a saint IMO. Is he still in prison?

[Erika]

2. Yes.

[Warpy]

3. There is a way it could be done with few risks for abuse

by relatives who want to hurry up an inheritance.

First, there need to be at least two opinions as to prognosis.

Second, if possible, the person him/herself has to agree that it's time.

Third, an ethics board (which usually consists of psychologists, clergy, and supervisory medical personell) needs to review all available info on the patient, his/her condition, and whether or not all comfor measures like antidepressants and pain control are in place.

If all conditions are met, a quick and peaceful exit should be arranged, either by supplying the person the means or by active assistance if the person is incapable of doing the deed due to paralysis or other concerns.

The experience in Oregon has shown that most people relax once the means are available but don't use them. Knowing there is a quick exit should it become too hard is a great comfort to them.

It's certainly high time for a medical specialist called a thanatologist, someone who is skilled in easing people through dignified and painless death.

[Triana]

4. I agree wholeheartedly but...

...have fun getting the Fundies to go along with that! HA! Logic escapes those people...

[Horse with no Name]

5. I agree

But would be a slippery slope without uniform and concise guidelines.
Something to consider is how difficult this might be on healthcare workers. You might see a faster burnout than you are already seeing.
I'm not sure how I would feel about assisting people to die. It would definitely be a soul searching process.I am Pro-Choice, but yet I wouldn't choose to work in an abortion clinic.
On the other hand, I don't think anyone who would be eager to do this would be a good candidate either--would have concerns about them getting a God complex.
There are many many avenues.
I hope we take the right one.
We all deserve a peaceful end--it just has to be done correctly.

[Blue Topaz]

6. Yes, I completely agree

I live in Oregon and there has been no slippery slope whatsoever since we legalized assisted suicide. The only problem with it is that it doesn't help people who are physically incapacitated. The patient has to be able to administer the meds by themselves, orally. Some terminal patients aren't able to do this and I wish doctors were legally able to help administer the meds.

Still, I find it a great comfort to have such an option available to me and my loved ones. If I were terminal I can't imagine a better way to die than being allowed to put my affairs in order, gather my loved ones around and say my goodbyes, then leave in peace, without clawing to life, wasting away one breath at a time and in terrible pain.

BTW, there are clear procedures in place. It is not at all random and chaotic. Going from memory they include:

1) Patient must be terminal, diagnosed by two doctors as having less than 6 months to live

2) Patient must be mentally competent and not clinically depressed.

3) Patient must be able to administer and ingest the meds themselves.

What was one of former AG Asscroft's top priorities in the months following Sept 11? Flipping the bird to Oregonians. He blocked the assisted suicide law. It was reinstated, but Asscroft pursued this through the courts. One of very last acts before leaving office was to appeal it to the Supreme Court. They have agreed to hear it this year and I am fervently hoping Oregonians will prevail.

I just don't understand opposition to assisted suicide. I am very pro-choice but can accept that some people think abortion is "killing babies". I also get why many of those people thought Terri Schiavo's case was about "killing" her. But what does this have to do with allowing a humane death at a time of their own choosing - and by their own hand - to a conscious adult who is staring death in the face? Makes no sense to me.

[Horse with no Name]

12. Oregon is the model for this

and has done a wonderful job.
There guidelines are clear and concise.
That's the way it should be across the board--any vague language would have to be taken out.

[BlueIris]

27. Of course, it would be nice if the docs here who provide that

service weren't ostracized by their colleagues. I'm not sure how laws could effect change with regard to eroding the social and professional stigmas still surrounding the issue, but I'd like to see someone freaking try.

[Erika]

7. People need to think

and take responsibility for their end of time. The avoidance is amazing. Guys, you are going to die. Don't you at least want it under your terms?

[me b zola]

8. Choice.

The dignity with which we live, the dignity with which we pass. It must be our choice.

[Kyregan]

9. I agree with you...

I know when my end is coming near I would much rather die peacefully in my sleep rather than have to sit and watch as all my organs slowly begin to fail me and have to lounge around in my own bodily waste.

But I think they should do what they do for Organ donors:

1. Have them fill out a form with all the terms of the assisted departure and present the applicant with a card stating their name, and a photograph of them (so it can't be planted on someone else.)

2. Have the opinion of two doctors as to whether the patient's condition is critical or not.

3. If the patient is unable to administer the medication themselves have a section for that on the terms and the applicant can determine after how many months of mental incapacitation they would prefer to have before the departure is instigated. (Minimum of 18 months).

That would most likely be the best way for it to happen, but as stated above, good luck getting the Fundi's to go along with that.

[calimary]

19. Welcome to DU, Kyregan.

One thing to keep in mind, perhaps. As you scan the faces of the fundies, note their ages. Evidently, most of them have never had to face this situation, at least not yet. Many of them look to be of mid-life age. Perhaps they've never had to go through watching a parent die in agony, in a lingering and declining struggle amidst pain, deterioration, incapacitation, and more. Certainly these folks have never faced such a nightmarish struggle for themselves. When their time comes, I'd be willing to bet, they'd be the first to start screaming to be lifted out of their state of woe and have their end hastened in peace and dignity. Mark my words.

[Skittles]

10. it is actually done in hospitals quite often

I believe overdose of morphine is the most common method.....it does happen, it just happens "under the table".

[Puglover]

11. It's also done in homes

When my good pal died from Aids on his last day when it was apparent that he was checking out his hospice nurse encouraged us to give him "as much morphine" via his shunt as we felt he needed. He was really suffering. When I spoke with her later she said he could have lasted in that horrid state up to 3-4 days. As it was he died after about 5 hours in distress. I've never been abit conflicted about "helping" him on his way out.

[Skittles]

13. I'm so sorry about your friend

yes, it is only natural for people to want to end suffering when the end result will be death anyways. Thank goodness there are many compassionate people in this world - a great many of them in the health professions.

It's too bad it cannot be considered "legal" but it is not uncommon and I don't fault anyone one bit either for their compassion.

[_TJ_]

15. I hope when my time comes

The law will have changed to allow a doctor to do the merciful thing.

[_TJ_]

14. I agree completely

Where is the compassion for the dying? :(

[vickie]

16. No. Let's not. Humans are human, regardless of pain and

suffering.

[Erika]

17. A human deserves the right to die without pain

when there is no hope for a quality of life. I've had to put two dogs to sleep. One who had a stroke and would starve to death. The vet said because of his condition he would have less than a 1% chance of recovery. IV's and hospitalization would also be necessary. He was conscious and shaking with fear. I held him as the vet quickly and gently put him to sleep.

The second one was old and had been completely blind and almost deaf for a year. Then he quit eating or drinking. We held him as he was gently put to sleep.

My mother died of Alzheimer's. She cried out for help saying she was lost and no one would ever be able to find her again. She had enough strength, at times, that she would throw herself out of the chair, bed, etc and end up bruised, cut, and with black eyes.

She finally quit eating or swallowing. She had a living will that she would not accept any form of artificial life support including feeding tubes. This was not an uninformed decision. She had retired as a nurse, and then took care of the dying for additional retirement money. She was also very religious.

It is time we allow humans to die when they have no quality of life left and the future holds nothing for them.

[Blue Topaz]

18. Erika, your story is very poignant

I too have euthanized a beloved pet in my arms. I think the same loving, peaceful option should be available to human beings.

Life is not supposed to be about keeping your carcass alive just for the sake of drawing another breath.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

20. And if you wish to...

end your life with pain and suffering, then that should be your option to do so. And if I should chose to end my life pain-free, quietly and surrounded by family on my own terms, that should be my option.

[bitchkitty]

21. I live in Oregon and I have a progressive illness.

If I get really bad, there will be considerable pain. You cannot imagine the comfort I get from the fact that if there comes a day when I cannot stand it anymore, I won't have to shoot myself in the head or go off a bridge. I can go quietly and peacefully, in my own bed, with my dogs and my family nearby, if it comes to that.

I certainly hope it won't, and I would encourange all human beings to stay alive as long as they possibly can. But it's still a comfort.

[deutsey]

22. Carousel!

[Nederland]

23. You first

...then the rest of us will discuss it.

[ArkDem]

24. All our times have come

Here but now they're gone
Seasons don't fear the reaper
Nor do the wind the sun or the rain (we can be like they are)
Come on baby (don't fear the reaper)
Baby take my hand (don't fear the reaper)
We'll be able to fly (don't fear the reaper)
Baby I'm your man

Valentine is done
Here but now they're gone
Romeo and Juliet
Are together in eternity (Romeo and Juliet)
40,000 men and women everyday (like Romeo and Juliet)
40,000 men and women everyday (redefine happiness)
Another 40,000 coming everyday (we can be like they are)
Come on baby (don't fear the reaper)
Baby take my hand (don't fear the reaper)
We'll be able to fly (don't fear the reaper)
Baby I'm your man

Love of two is one
Here but now they're gone
Came the last night of sadness
And it was clear she couldn't go on
Then the door was open and the wind appeared
The candles blew then disappeared
The curtains flew then he appeared (saying don't be afraid)
Come on baby (and she had no fear)
And she ran to him (then they started to fly)
They looked backward and said goodbye (she had become like they are)
She had taken his hand (she had become like they are)
Come on baby (don't fear the reaper)

[Erika]

25. I'm stubborn - let's face this issue of euthanasia

I believe in the sanctity and quality of life. In my heart, I can find no reason why we force humans to endure to the end when there is no quality of life or hope for one. We take pity on animals and gently let them move on. Why do we insist on the long drawn out death for humans? We can find it in our hearts to save the animals from this end of life torture but we cannot find that same kindness and gentility to humans?

[Kazak]

26. I agree. Ever been put under for a sugery?

It could be that easy.