You are sooooooo wrong about Oregon!
The vast majority of patients who have the "option" of ending their life, do NOT choose to do so....like over 95%.
Yet, they report they are much less stressed and fearful just because the option is there.
No.....the author is way wrong. Morphine does very very often NOT alleviate pain while maintaining consciousness. that is such BS. At least be honest and say, well, if they suffer, they suffer.
As for the "relationship mending " theory....maybe that works for a short while while the patient is still conscious and feeling fairly well. After that...not. Lets just be honest in the discussion and not sugar coat it with all this stuff about terminal patients ALL don't have a lower quality of life.
Nice theories until you see the realities.
I've seen the realities. With 6 people. And no, they weren't all "easy" deaths (whatever that is).
Anyone advocating suicide/euthanasia is not seeing very wisely.
I've also been in the extremities of pain. Consciousness is still there despite deblititating pain, even when you can barely communicate or not communicate.
I've had a friend come out of a 6 week coma. He could hear and understand when the doctor said he was brain dead.
Advocating death for others is nothing but evil. It denigrates the unconditional value of life, that is a gift from God. He gives it and He takes it, and anyone who wants to interfere is trying to take His role over, but without His perfect knowledge and mercy.
BTW, reconciliation can happen even without words, even without seeing, just by being there. And reconciliation with God can take place within the heart, with no one else seeing or knowing what is taking place. Hastening death is primarily about being in control. Read some books about it. Read what the suicide/euthanasia advocates themselves say. It isn't about pain, it's about control.
What you fail to acknowledge is basic human nature. People are never happy with the status quo. They must forever push the envelope. The physician assisted suicide culture that exists in Oregon is only the beginning. It's the first step, usually the hardest one. The next ones will be easier, and they will come. The road will be greased by idealists who believe it is a good thing to have "the option."