Euthanasia – The big Debate

The definition offered by the Oxford English Dictionary incorporates suffering as a necessary condition, with "the painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease or in an irreversible coma"
Classification of euthanasia
Euthanasia may be classified according to whether a person gives informed consent into three types: voluntary, non-voluntary and involuntary.
There is a debate within medical and bioethics circles about whether or not the non-voluntary, involuntary killing of patients can be regarded as euthanasia, irrespective of intent or the patient's circumstances. Some pro euthanasia groups believe consent of the person is not necessary. However, I believe that consent of the person is an essential part of the process.

Voluntary euthanasia
Euthanasia conducted with the consent of the patient is termed voluntary euthanasia. Active voluntary euthanasia is legal in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.  Passive voluntary euthanasia is legal throughout the U.S. When the patient brings about his or her own death with the assistance of a physician, the term assisted suicide is often used instead. Assisted suicide is legal in Switzerland and the U.S. states of Oregon, Washington and Montana.

Non-voluntary euthanasia
Euthanasia conducted where the consent of the patient is unavailable is termed non-voluntary euthanasia.
Involuntary euthanasia
Euthanasia conducted against the will of the patient is termed involuntary euthanasia.

Procedural decision
Voluntary, non-voluntary and involuntary euthanasia can all be further divided into passive or active variants.

Passive euthanasia
Passive euthanasia entails the withholding of common treatments, such as antibiotics, necessary for the continuance of life. This is available in NZ.

Active euthanasia
Active euthanasia entails the use of lethal substances or forces, such as administering a lethal injection, to kill. This is the most controversial.

Euthanasia debate
Historically, the euthanasia debate has tended to focus on a number of key concerns. Proponents of euthanasia have presented four main arguments:
a) that people have a right to self-determination, and thus should be allowed to choose their own fate;  Dying with Dignity.
b) assisting a subject to die might be a better choice than requiring that they continue to suffer;  We do this to our most beloved pets.
c) the distinction between passive euthanasia, which is often permitted, and active euthanasia, which is not, is unreasonable or unsound);
d) permitting euthanasia will not necessarily lead to unacceptable consequences. Where it has been made legal it is mostly unproblematic.

Similarly, Those against euthanasia argue that there are four major arguments;
a) not all deaths are painful;
b) alternatives, such as cessation of active treatment, combined with the use of effective pain relief, are available;
c) the distinction between active and passive euthanasia is morally significant;
d) legalising euthanasia will place society on a decline which will lead to unacceptable consequences.

My Opinion.
We love our pets and when things go wrong or they are very old and their body is starting to fail we assist them to die. It is done with love. Why then do we have to watch our family suffer terrible last moments without lifting a finger to help. I call that very barbaric and close to torture. We have to endure this because some people think the sanctity of life rules all. What about the person on the receiving end. What about the right to die in a peaceful and dignified way. Less stress on everybody I say.
Not all deaths are painful, however unless they are unconscious there is still some panic when they can no longer get that last breath in. Can we not have the overdose of morphine to make us unconscious. Just to go to sleep and sleep forever would be enough.

Passive euthanasia is practiced in NZ. You can starve yourself, which is not that good or stop your meds so that your condition gets worse and finally kills you. Both of these are not that pleasant. Why can’t a quick injection give you the freedom at the last moment to just let you float away without too much discomfort. The end is inevitable anyway. I don’t see the harm.
I have a document of continuing care written up by a lawyer. In it are my wishes if at any stage of my life I no longer have quality of life and can’t speak for myself. It lists the fact that I refuse all medical intervention apart from pain relief. This is passive euthanasia.

On the TV the other night I see that Dunedin Hospital are the first with a pilot program to allow patients to choose the way they want to die. Not the ideal as you still have the yuk bit at the very end, but I guess it is a start. Well, done to those who instigated this program. Am I an advocate of euthanasia. You bet I am. I have seen too much. I want my death to be a pleasant experience. Do you?
By the way this debate has been going on for centuries. Time for us to resolve it.

My point Rupert. What do we own if we can't chose. Where are our rights? There are to many do gooders that think they have the right to tell everyone else what to do. Centuries ago churches were killing people left right and center. AND they now sanctify all life beyond suffering. I think the world is going PC mad.