Planetarion Forums

midge5 · 11 Mar 2005, 15:55

Watching Neighbours had me thinking.

If you were in a situation were someone close to you was definatly going to die within the next few months, they were already suffering quite a bit and were only going to get worse, unable to do a lot of things for themselves. If they asked you to would you help them commit suicide?

Personally I think I would, I would certainly expect others to help me if I was unable to do it myself.

Cannon_Fodder · 11 Mar 2005, 16:01

yes. i would allow whatcemamacallit....

edit: euthanasia..

madi · 11 Mar 2005, 16:18

depends how much pain they were in and how rational i believed them to be
i would like to be let go* should i ever become unable to look after myself (peeing myself and being fed)

m
xx

*bumped off

Structural Integrity · 11 Mar 2005, 16:23

ChubbyChecker · 11 Mar 2005, 16:27

Depends, I wouldn't suffocate them with a pillow or anything like that, though maybe just supply them with the necessary drugs.

But then I'd get in trouble so maybe not :/

pyirt · 11 Mar 2005, 16:28

No. You`d get banged up for it.

Cannon_Fodder · 11 Mar 2005, 16:29

which is why the law needs to be changed. its stupid atm.

Belgarath The Sorcerer · 11 Mar 2005, 16:33

I would, yes.

If I were in that situation, and I had a terminal illness, I wouldn't let myself get that far gone that I couldn't look after myself, or be a burden to others.

meglamaniac · 11 Mar 2005, 16:34

You realise she didn't kill him right?

LHC · 11 Mar 2005, 16:39

This thread has nothing to do with Neighbours because Steph didn't do that although Susan did kill her mother.

I'd probably do it.

All Systems Go · 11 Mar 2005, 16:40

If you are sick and want to die then you should be able to die. the only objection I might rase would be that a psychiatric test may have to be carried out to find out if you are in a fit state of mind to make that choice.

Marilyn Manson · 11 Mar 2005, 16:41

It would depend on whether it would be obvious that they had been 'assisted' or not. I wouldn't be prepared to face criminal prosecution over it.

xtrasyn · 11 Mar 2005, 16:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by midge5

Watching Neighbours had me thinking.

Please for christs sake, dear bloody hell etc.

midge5 · 11 Mar 2005, 16:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by meglamaniac

You realise she didn't kill him right?

I hadn't actually seen any of this weeks episodes and turned it on when the police were interviewing her so I had assumed at the time she had. I did find out later, before making this thread, that she didn't infact do it.

Nodrog · 11 Mar 2005, 17:57

the current law regarding this is evil so probably not unless there was some subtle way to do it where it's unlikely I'd be caught.

Treveler · 11 Mar 2005, 18:16

I would help to get the means to do it but I wouldnt do the "killing" myself.

One thing I find funny about active euthanasia is that letting a sick old dog live is considered animal maltreatment, but helping a sick dieing friend in immense pain is considered murder.

All Systems Go · 11 Mar 2005, 18:22

there is a general type of self-delusion in society that a human life is somehow sacred.

Nodrog · 11 Mar 2005, 18:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by All Systems Go

there is a general type of self-delusion in society that a human life is somehow sacred.

why dont you kill yourself and prove them wrong?

Cochese · 11 Mar 2005, 18:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nodrog

the current law regarding this is evil so probably not unless there was some subtle way to do it where it's unlikely I'd be caught.

Agreed.

The only exception is if it happened in a state like Oregon, which passed 'doctor assisted suicide' laws a few years back...in which case, it could be handled by a professional.

All Systems Go · 11 Mar 2005, 18:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nodrog

why dont you kill yourself and prove them wrong?

I have no desire to die, but that is not a reason to stop other people dying if they wish.

zakoff · 11 Mar 2005, 20:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nodrog

the current law regarding this is evil so probably not unless there was some subtle way to do it where it's unlikely I'd be caught.

The law is rather harsh but recently the courts have been rather lenient. There have been a few cases of double suicides aswell - Elderly couples helping their termanally ill spouse die and then killing themselves. It certainly is a heartless law, my mother has an uncurable Cancer and Its something close to my family. But I don't think I could go through with anything like that, taking someones life can't be easy, especially if its someone you love.

Dante Hicks · 11 Mar 2005, 20:50

If a loved one wanted me to ease their suffering and I believed them to be making a "rational" decision then yes of course. The idea that people would quite happily let their friends / spouse / family member suffer unnecessarily because they were scared of the law is pretty despicable tbh.

Boogster · 11 Mar 2005, 22:12

No, though it would certainly be difficult, I would not.

Nodrog · 11 Mar 2005, 22:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dante Hicks

IThe idea that people would quite happily let their friends / spouse / family member suffer unnecessarily because they were scared of the law is pretty despicable tbh.

Assuming the risk of getting caught was significant, why would this be despicable?

Dante Hicks · 11 Mar 2005, 22:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nodrog

Assuming the risk of getting caught was significant, why would this be despicable?

Because I wouldn't place me doing a little jail time* over the suffering of my loved ones.

Similarly I'd be pretty disgusted if someone said "I was out with my girlfriend and she started getting raped by some stranger and I was going to do something but I was scared I might get hurt so I let it go on" or something. Spinelessness in the face of tyranny (from either other individuals or the state) is not a trait I particularly admire in others.

* = Or rather, in this case a chance of doing some jail time compared to the certainty of my loved ones suffering. I am however a risk taker so I might consider the question differently.

meglamaniac · 11 Mar 2005, 23:46

On a slightly different subject, it still amuses me no end that suicide is illegal in Australia.
"Ok, you messed up your suicide attempt so we're going to show you just how rosy life is by locking you up."

I agree very strongly with the concept of your "right to die" as defined as the choice to prematurely end your life either through actual harmful activity (painkillers, drugs, a bullet to the head, whatever) or by refusing treatment that could otherwise prolong your life (this usually refers to various bits of hospital kit etc).

At the very least I think the Human Rights charter should have a provision requiring the decriminalisation of suicide. Suicide as a criminal offense makes little sense. By the time a person has reached the stage of wanting to end their life, they are not going to be in a state to take laws into consideration for the most part. To then scoop up those who fail in the attempt and make their life even more of a misery seems at best to be incredibly counter-productive and at worst bordering on mental torture.

The subject of euthanasia is trickier, as there is potential for foul play in that the person supposedly assisting the death may manipulate somebody in a weakend state into going forward where they otherwise may not.
If euthanasia were to be legalised in this country, I think there is a strong case for it to be only legal for doctors to assist death and, cold as it may sound, a licence should be required.
There should also be some sort of "cooling off" period (measured in days, if not weeks) that would give the patient enough time to be absolutely certain of thier choice.