Who's life is it? (Euthanasia)

Member Name: pebbles

Product:	Euthanasia
Date:	30/09/00 (21 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: End the pain and suffering

Disadvantages: What if we are wrong about what the person wanted

A subject that moves even the most impartial of people. One could easily say 'I'd rather sit on the fence' but what if you were in that situation?

I never really thought of the subject until I watched my father die (it took 3 days), he had a slow and painful death. We were all there to say goodbye, and to watch the last breath will stay in my memory forever.

As we were all there I don't think for a minute that any of us would have agreed to euthanasia. It wouldn't have been a decision that we would get an agreement on. We could only pray that he would go peacefully, but we would never know how much pain or discomfort he was in.

I believe it is a personal issue as we are the only ones who know how much pain we can endure. My father was 84 when he died and often not very coherent, so how would we have known if he was asking us to help him die during a lucid state of mind?

My father begged me to take him home, this was hard enough so imagine the effect it would have on me if I was to help him die. However if it were me who wanted to die it would be totally different.


If I was to reach a state of ill health when life was unbearable then from a personal point of view I would prefer to end the ordeal. When someone is dying the effect on the family is very traumatic, you always think that every breath is the last, I would never want my husband or children to go through this. It's my life so I feel I should have the choice if I want to die.

The big issue is when is it humane and when is it murder? The judicial system would not agree with my decision to help someone die but would they alter their view if that person were to provide a living will? It's a topic of debate that is endless and I'm sure will never be resolved.

Summary: