[tacomonkey2002]

I think everyone should read this link!

http://www.euthanasia.com/debate.html

tom

[jocon307]

BTTT, and let me say this, as a dyed in the wool conservative, I think our country our civilization is rich enough, wealthy enough, to afford the disabled the right to life.

Once we get into a true/pure/craven utilitarian mode of thinking I'm pretty sure I will be seen as disposable. I'm pretty sure most of my family and friends will be seen that way also.

Hey, you doubt me, check Hitler and co. Who qualifies as an Ubermensch?

Thanks for posting this.

[northernlightsII]

Thank you for an inspiring story and for a thought provoking post. Our society needs your courage to help in the fight against this culture of death that is slowly engulfing every aspect of the western world

[hellinahandcart]

Thanks for your post.

My mother has been in a wheelchair for the past two years, following a stroke. We're hoping she gets out of it one day.

But even if she doesn't, it's no reason for her to want to kill herself. Or be tempted to do so, to relieve others of the "burden"...we think she's a treasure, not a burden.

[livius]

The difference is, all three times, every medical effort was made to save me.

I think the acceptance of "PAS" has essentially undermined the whole reason for being for medicine. Why bother to help anyone survive or even get better, when it would be so much cheaper and easier to kill them? Even things such as cancer or other diseases cost a lot to treat, and very often the patient has a shortened life expectancy or a disability afterwards anyway, so why not simply circumvent the whole process by killing the patient?

This is going to affect every level of care provider, from first responders to neurosurgeons. Once life is no longer considered an absolute good, but something with a cost-benefit ratio and a "quality of life" determination that have to be examined first, the whole rationale of medicine shifts and medical care providers behave accordingly.

I think this may even have an effect before actual PAS is approved, simply by weakening the morale of the medical profession and unconsciously diminishing the efforts they put out to save people, especially those who cannot be guaranteed a fast, successful treatment and restoration to 100% of their prior condition.