What are your thoughts on euthanasia in the medical field assisted suicide?

@rovana: Spot on!

I'll also add that Congressmen are easily influenced by the hundreds of lobbyists representing Big Pharma and the medical industry, so getting a federal law passed for medically-assisted suicide will be quite the long shot, if ever. Big Pharma and the medical industry see management of chronic disease as a massive cash cow...Billions upon billions of dollars are generated from treatment of diabetes, cancer, depression, heart disease...

Don't confuse assisted suicide with deciding to decline treatment. Two entirely different things.

My dad had a living will. This was so helpful at the end of his life. His living will said that if heroin is legal that he wants it if there is no recovery. Obviously, it's not legal, but the will went on to say he wanted no support or intervention to keep his life going.

I think this question can only be answered by the patient or person going through their pain.

Perhaps our elders are surviving because they are "drugged up", but not always. My mom has been taken off 75% of her meds and now takes only sinemet and tylenol for symptom control and a low dose asa and propranolol to hopefully prevent a debilitating but not immediately life ending stroke. It's a mystery to me that she has survived so long.
And how do we decide at what point we stop treatment? Is it a set age? Do we come up with a formula that weighs quality of life? Would you want to live in a society where you would one day get a call from the nursing home that your loved one has declined and has now reached that threshold?

As an individual you already have the right to end your life as you deem fit. I believe it to be true that no states still criminalise suicide.

You don't have the right to involve other people in abetting the "unlawful taking of a life with malice aforethought" - a.k.a. murder.

The loophole is in the word "unlawful." That's the bit that states which are sanctioning assisted suicide are working away at: does the prior consent of a person who is no longer able to consent make the ending of his life lawful?

What if he's changed his mind and can't communicate it?

It is unhelpful to look at the issue as if it were ethically straightforward. The law and policy makers prefer to err on the side of caution because there are too many factors that we cannot know, and too great a risk of unintended consequences.

The Hippocratic oath also forbids the surgical treatment of kidney stones: we're quite able to distinguish which parts of it no longer apply. It is retained not as a practical ethical handbook, but as a reminder to clinicians of quite how long their profession has been wrestling with these issues and not to get too cocky and start ditching the most fundamental principles.

With an aging population that is being kept alive for the sake of it. (I mean those that are drugged up living a pointless existence, with no awareness of themselves, which without drugs who would have died.) How is this life? Yet a whole industry has grown and makes money out of this suffering. The care homes, nurses, maybe there to help but when the dying have chosen to quit this life, everyone involved, including doctors and lawyers use it as a game to justify their existence or as a money making machine. This is not right as it takes away the wishes of an individual. If you make a living will your wishes should be adhered to, so you ( or your family) should be able to refuse medication and let nature take its course.
But one thing people forget the Hippocratic oath, 'to prolong life' was made in an age of limited medical knowledge so there was no messing 'with nature'. Now we can keep a comatose person alive for years and it is this intervention I have an issue with. Why prolong life just because you can? Surely its about quality of life not quantity of life?.
And because, so of the system has an agenda in  wanting to extend a persons life, and the family is not able to accept death, it is no wonder the wishes of the dying gets overlooked.

And isn't it daft even if they allowed them to die, they'd just let them starve to death rather than put them out of their misery. No-one wants to make a ruling one way or the other because it sets a precedent, and the masses seem to think once you do this, the government will use it to 'get rid' of this aging group. 
We are individuals and as individuals reserve the right to end our life the way we deem fit.

Veronica 91, Yeah I don't get why people are saying it's the medical field . It's the law regarding ending life. Assisted suicide is only in a few states. Dr's can't decide . They may have a DNR but that's not the same thing . When someone has a terminal diagnosis and is suffering we should be able to give them a shot and let them go peacefully .

I would just like to say my dad had hospice, my mother does now . They are the most compassionate nurses out there . They are wonderful . I don't get how Singingway had such a bad experience with hospice . I am in the medical field also. You should of reported them . That's not hospice . It's end of life comfort and care not telling you to do this or that to make them die . Although I do agree with assisted suicide if there is a terminal illness and it's what the patient would of wanted . I wrote another post with more detail . I just really wanted to address about the hospice nurses. But I guess you get one bad one here or there .

My dad had passed at home . He had pulmonary fibrosis . We were all there and watched him die. It was so horrible I can still remember every second and this was 17 yrs ago . My dad was extremely witty to the end . Now my mom is now in hospice . My sisters and I could no longer care for her at home . She has Parkinson's with psychosis which presents like dementia . A lot of people never heard of it . Now I would never thought I would say this but I am praying god takes her . This is torture . She is bed ridden has a foley and a diaper can't feed herself they move her non stop cause of bed sores she can barely speak cause of the Parkinson's . I know the end is near . I'm up at 4 am getting ready to go sit and basically wait for her to die . My mother would not if wanted this . I think if someone has a terminal diagnosis they have the right to end it . There are only I think 5 states that have it . Ours isn't one of them . We let our animals go when it's time . We are their voice . I challenge anyone to go in a hospice unit for 1 day and tell me this is right to have these people just lay there . They are suffering the family is suffering . There is zero quality of life . Dr Kavorkian had it right. Let them go, help them go. If we were allowed to do this we would of done it months ago. She can't talk , walk. After she passes I am making this my life mission to let our loved ones go with dignity and respect they deserve . I want to do it for her not me . So don't say it's due us because it's not . I've taken care of her until she needed 24 /7 care. I'm curious why people are against this . Please what is your argument ? You must of never watched someone you love suffer. Thank you all and God bless.

I agree with Gershun but will just add for Riley. Assisted suicide decisions are nothing to do with the medical profession. It is the Law that decides these things.

I wish we would euthanize this topic. It's a conversation that never goes anywhere.

Good lord, I posted on this thread 2 years ago. Looks like Flowgo has left the building. Slow day around my house so thought I'd chip in. Then check back in 2 years.


Patsy, the belief in "Gods Will" causes untold suffering of the elderly and terminally ill. We are told god loves us, is merciful, but will roast us for eternity and we should extend the suffering of impending death because it's gods will. We are not dogs, but dogs get better end of life treatment via euthanasia.


Mally...Trump just got on the scene?! Better check your calendar.

Lassie, I liked several of your posts, but please don't start with the political stuff; this country has had bad problems for a long time, and Trump just got on the scene!

I am a person of faith in a God who gives life and takes away life. To hasten someone's death or to cause it is homicide. We are not dogs, we are human beings. When our last breath comes, it will be God's will to take us , not ours. Euthanasia is wrong. And "speeding up the process" with drugs is euthanasia even if you call it hospice.

I'm for it. I would not want to linger on and on and on and f'ing ON, being a burden to anyone. We all are going to die, and when my time comes, and I am in horrible pain, and there is one person, or possibly no one, to see me through it - why not? What should I be living FOR, old, falling apart, in pain? I'm never getting any better. Who is going to CARE if I live or die? It would be a blessing, for me, if I could exit this horrible Trump world, and not put anybody else out. The end. is. the end. We are never going to 'get better'. Nobody much cares when you reach a certain age (and they will be SO relieved when you do leave this mortal coil!) . For chrissakes, give it up! Go into the light, pain free, released of your burden of life - it ends for all of us.

Personally, having witnessed great suffering and grief, I am completely pro-euthanasia but under certain conditions. People, when they are of sound mind and completely aware of all aspects of euthanasia, should be allowed to prepare a legal document that gives instructions for their demise when the unthinkable happens. God gave us free will and our free will should allow us to make a decision as to our bodies and when it is time to go. To force people to suffer endlessly and not do anything because nothing can be done and the person is obviously going to die is cruel. Let them go in peace. The medical people should have enough compassion and respect to abide by the wishes of the person. End of statement.

My mother is homebound due to a slew of issues. However, she can easily live another five to ten years?! No way. NO! She is and has been suffering for a very, very long time. She's a DNR and I'm just waiting for something to take her. Old World genetics keeps this woman going and going! I love her with all my heart but it's absolutely ridiculous that at-home euthanasia in consult with her doctor is not an option! I live in a State where Death With Dignity is not available - not even to cancer patients. My mother loves Taco Bell soft tacos. I buy them while I'm out doing other errands and feed them to her at home. She's lost mobility due to motor decline post-stroke. I'm actually thinking of purchasing a specials needs wheelchair so I can physically take her to Taco Bell with the understanding she may develop a respiratory condition and then put her on hospice and let nature take its course. Her doctor even said getting Mom some sun will be good for her. However, in all honesty, my intention of taking her outside - is I want her to develop a respiratory condition so I can put her on hospice. However, due to her strong Old World genetics - she'll fore sure recover from the respiratory condition while on hospice and then it's back to her ongoing suffering again. No one should have to suffer in their last days, months, years.

Yes, it is time we dealt with this problem. I watched my elderly parents die slowly. They both begged piteously for someone to end their misery. This was demoralizing and exhausting for all involved. No one should be required to suffer like that. Their combined dying took 6 years of misery. How is this moral? How does it help society? Assisted suicide is how I want to go.

When I had a colonoscopy a year ago, they knocked me out with Propofol ( the drug that I believe killed Michael Jackson at a high dose). I was out completely. That would be my drug of choice. It was like turning off a light switch. I think about it, having witnessed the months my mom spent in post-stroke rehab/nursing home. What a horror show. So much loss of dignity and suffering and neglect. Why would any benevolent god approve of that vs a peaceful exit?

Completely totally 100% pro choice for choosing assisted suicide. Your body; your life.

Totally agree Knittynurse and Riley. I think the amount of medical intervention performed on the very sick and/or very old is wrong and even cruel sometimes. As many people point out when this debate surfaces, we treat our pets much more mercifully. I don't know anyone who believes that the right thing to do with a beloved, very ill pet is to let him suffer until he dies naturally.

I have said it before and I will keep saying it again and again and if just a few people listen, I will be happy. I truly believe in my heart and soul that each person was allegedly given free will and they should have the full right to choose what to do when their time is close. I personally believe (against what most others think) that if I do take my life, I will be closer to god that much quicker. Anyway, I feel every single person - while they are in completely sound mind and good health - must make some decisions for their future. No one knows what can and will happen and we must be prepared before it is too late. Just as people should have a will, a living will, and make whatever other arrangements need to be tended to, they should also make a choice and put it in writing so that it is legal and honored by all - what will happen when they are ill or old or whatever. Not to do this is pure insanity. This should not be left to family or medical people. The decision MUST be made by the individual when they are fully cognizant of their choice and all that goes with it. If they want to leave this earth because they are very ill or disabled, or just plain old, then it is THEIR CHOICE - NOT SOMEONE ELSE'S CHOICE. And their wishes must be honored. To be safe, this document should be reviewed and updated if need be at least once a year. I certainly hope and pray that if I should be so ill or old or beyond any chance of living even a slightly normal life, I would be allowed to go in peace. If not, I'll come back to haunt everyone.

In this country we supposedly have the right to determine how we live our lives, define our beliefs and chose our care.
To me it seems rediculous that some government or someone else's beliefs should hold any control over how I chose to die.
What could be more of a personal decission than that?
How does an individual's decission to stop suffering, wasting, fearing a terrible end have anything to do with the beliefs of others.
People on this forum are supportive and caring. Some are also quick to assume everyone else shares their religious beliefs and beliefs about an afterlife. Including that there is some deity that demands we suffer our way to the end of life, or we will be denied a particular afterlife.
That's fine for them. But guess what? We do not all believe this.
There are billions of humans on this earth, and beliefs about what happens when we die are beyond counting.
So what I'm trying to say is that to be human is to suffer and to die.
We will all have to do both. And none of us really knows what happens next. None of us.
So ponder your true beliefs, including those nagging doubts, and and decide for youself. But not for me, I'll do that for myself, thank you.

First, I personally frown seriously on euthanasia because it's taking of a human life. To back me up, God's word even says in the 10 Commandments not to kill. If the people don't stand up and put a stop to it, it'll become more widespread to the point it becomes the norm. It's up to the people to put a stop to it and if you happen to be related to a patient who was involuntarily euthanized, I would think there should be lawyers out there who specialize in compensation for these matters

Speaking solely for myself, I have no family and I firmly believe every human has the right to choose when and under what conditions. The only thing I can say is that a decision like this must be made after much research and at a time when the person is in top mental and physical condition. Do not wait until the "panic" situation arrives. Make your decisions while you are able to, make sure everyone knows this - that it is your decision - and make sure your doctors are willing to work with you. If not, find another doctor.

If a loved one has end stage of Alzheimer's and is totally incompetent, does not recognized loved ones, stops eating, can't drink. Can't communicate pain. You must look at facial expressions you can see signs of pain. Yes you must give your loved one the dignity to be out of pain and suffering. Hospice are trained to ease your loved one out of pain and give comfort. It's selfish to watch them suffer during their final days of living. To die in pain, bed ridden, to move them from side to side which is very painful, it's not what anyone wants to spend their final days. Please trust Hospice they are experienced to make sure your loved one final days are in comfort unafraid to make their journey to heaven. I know we all want our loved ones to get better and live forever but, if your loved one body is shutting down and your prolonging it because you can't let go, that's very cruel and selfish on your behalf. You must let them go. It's up to the lord he will take them to heaven where there is no more pain, suffering, illness. He has a place for them. John 14 verse 2. In my fathers house there are many mansions, he has a place especially for them. I thank the lord for Hospice that they can mediate a care to ease the transition when death is inevitable and your loved one is terminal where the body is shutting down. Just be there and tell your loved one even if their in a coma how much you love them and it's okay to go to the light. God will be there to guide them. Not to be afraid.

As one who has had a family member Choose to die, and did in fact end his own life, using the Death With Dignity option, I wholeheartedly believe in the DWD laws and this option. However, every situation is case by case, and it should be well regulated.

My Niece's husband, had been battling debilitating Cancer for four years, with metastasis to his lungs and nearly every large bone in his body, including his skull, spine, pelvis arms and legs bones. He was a large man, and could no longer bear any weight or walk, and had in fact only just broken two bones right aboove his ankle, rendering him bed bound. He was in horrific pain all over his body, and suffered immense daily headaches frome the lesions putting pressure on his brain, and death was imminent, but like with most cancers, you do know it will get much worse, but you don't know when the suffering will end. He was suffering, and chose DWD as a way to end his own suffering, and that of his family, who was observing his decline, and suffering in their own right, as the husband/father they once knew, was shrinking into himself both physically and mentally, lulled under by the heavy narcotics he had to take, in order to control the pain.

Once he had made the informed decision to end his life, the burden he faced of having to continue wasting away in pain was lifted, and his spirits actually improved, knowing that he had the control of his own destiny.

DWD is legal in the state of Washington, and after meeting with the DWD organization, he had indepth counselling, 2 independent Dr's approval besides his own Oncologist, and the steps were set in place for the 4 week waiting period. At no time did he ever waver from his decision.

The most difficult aspect of the entire situation, was explaining to his Mother and his children, why he had come to this decision, and now, 2+ months after he has passed, they are doing better, and have come to be supportive of the decision he made for the entire family. In hindsight (as many of us who have watched our Loved ones suffer with debilitating deseases), they had all been morning his loss for a long time, and know he would have only suffered even more than he already had been.

My Nephew ended his life in mid February, it was quiet, peaceful, and after he self administred the medication coctail, he simply went to sleep, and never woke up, with his entire family supportive, and by his side.

After having witnessed his decision, I am in complete understanding and agreement with the DWD laws and why someone would wish to take control and end their life this way.

I'm only speaking for myself as I respect others who differ. After the age of five, we all can debate respectfully without having a temper tantrum. I'm an Independent, politically, and I'm not a fan of the government being in my face - but after what happened to my father in our money-driven healthcare system and now caring for my slowly declining mother who I secretly think is an advanced artificial intelligent robot with human skin because she's recovered from the unimaginable but still returns to no quality of life: I believe Death With The Dignity should be a national law. The invalid who has no quality of life should be given a respectful death - pain free. Haven't they suffered enough already?? These individuals are just an ongoing paycheck for the healthcare industry. This is wrong on so many levels. When I was going in and out of the healthcare system with my father, I met many doctors and nurses who told me that their views on aging and quality of life changed after working in their field for a number of years - and that all of them became a DNR and expressed euthanasia should be available. Thirteen years ago I came across an article in AARP discussing the rise in healthcare costs and quality of nursing homes. Several photos were included in the story. The one that made me stop in my tracks was the photo of a retired - cardiologist - who had a huge "DNR" tattooed across his entire chest! The irony in this photo, right? He stated he knows all too well what healthcare is like after a certain point in the aging process so he just wants to enjoy every day as if it was his last. I'm not supporting a massive euthanasia movement/pandemic but one should be realistic about end of life care as the disease progresses and have euthanasia as an option.

cwillie oh we have and over here we did it a long time ago I am afraid. I worked with a wonderful lady and she was super, but virtually blind and totally deaf she had a blind deaf signer and used the biggest computer screen you can possibly imagine. The signer earned more than she did and at that time the computer screen would have paid for an assistant - they were very very very expensive when they first came out.

All she ever wanted to do was to work with blind deaf children but H&S risk assessments done by people who were neither blind nor deaf said she would be unsafe walking around (like she didnt have to walk around EVER on a daily basis!!!!)

CM you are right rehab centres have largely gone but the gp doesnt now want her to have a hoist he wants to make her use her legs more to get the muscle mass back (not sure how that helps when she is on the floor)

Right now dealing with a UTI (hers not mine) so we are on the verge of la la land although now I keep the rapid strips and test her urine I KNOW when her leucocyte levels soar so can get some help sharpish.

Oh my CM, I sympathize with the physically challenged needing to find a place in the workforce, but I think we've thrown common sense out the window in the effort to make accommodations.