SI
SI
discoversearch

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor.  We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community.  If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.
Politics : Sharks in the Septic Tank -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?


To: cosmicforce who wrote (6280)2/20/2001 7:36:00 PM
From: Lane3  Read Replies (2) | Respond to of 82486
 
euthanasia should have its place in the light of day. Highly regulated and controlled, but legal.

I agree about the light of day and the legal, but I'm not sure about the regulated and controlled part. In the first place, I'm way too skeptical about government intrusion into such private matters just on general principles. The same reason I'm pro-choice. In the second place, I can't imaging writing the regulations on euthanasia any more than writing the regulations on fetus personhood.

IMO, these things should be handled on a case by case basis, preferably informally. People of good will can figure out the best thing to do. People not of good will, of course, are always a risk, but they're a risk every day--muggers, rapists, drunk drivers. I'd rather take my chances with them than with government regulation, I think.

Rather than regulation, we could, perhaps, get protection by requiring consultation with a special ombudsmen who could review any advance directives and check out the beneficiaries on our behalf.

One of the criteria they tend to want to put in the regulations is the nearness of death. I don't think that should be relevant. I'd rather draw up my own advance directive.

The best way, if one is competent, IMO would be to complain with a wink to the doctor about pain until the pain medication reached fatal level.

Karen

edit--I'm so grateful that Dr. K is doing what he's doing. To bad he doesn't have a more charismatic persona.



To: cosmicforce who wrote (6280)2/20/2001 7:38:35 PM
From: Bald Eagle  Respond to of 82486
 
RE;I disagree with Greg about Kevorkian. I've heard him talk

I heard recently that a lot of people who Kevorkian helped to die didn't even have terminal illnesses, but were suffering from treatable depressions. I don't know how reliable the source was, but if true, it really puts a different light on his "euthanasia".