8mm
Posted on 01/29/2007 5:09:42 PM PST by neverdem
Remember Jack Kevorkian? He's the American euthanasia doctor behind bars for second-degree murder. He's also the one who wanted to look into the eyes of those in the process of dying for his "obitiatric research".
Despite his ghoulishness, Kevorkian is revered by those such as Derek Humphry, co-founder of the pro-euthanasia group the Hemlock Society, who described Kevorkian's incarceration as "a tragedy for an honourable man". Kevorkian assisted or lethally injected at least 130 people, mostly middle-aged women. More than 70 per cent were not terminally ill. Most were disabled or depressed.
Recently, the Swiss group Dignitas, which has assisted hundreds of suicides and promotes euthanasia, has petitioned the Swiss Supreme Court for permission to assist the suicides of the chronically depressed and mentally ill.
In Australia, our most vocal euthanasia advocate, Philip Nitschke, is on record for advocating a suicide pill for the depressed, the elderly bereaved and troubled teenagers.
At the heart of this issue is the belief that everyone should have the right to die on their own terms: when, where, and how they want, with social, legal, and medical support from the state. While in the first instance this would take the form of legislation for difficult cases, it would not stop there.
As we have learnt from the Netherlands, legislating for hard euthanasia cases cannot be contained. Once the state legislates for the killing of any of its innocent members, even upon their request, it has breached a principle that protects us all. When the state legalises euthanasia, all are at risk.
In the Netherlands, assisted suicide soon turned to euthanasia. At the outset, only for the terminally ill. Now the chronically ill. Initially for physical illness. Now for psychological distress. At first, strictly upon voluntary request. Thousands of cases of euthanasia now occur without a request from the patient. Some doctors just know best. The Dutch recently legislated to permit euthanasia for 12- to 16-year-olds, and dozens of disabled babies have been illegally euthanased at Groningen Hospital, by doctors who are now pressuring the Government for permission to terminate infant lives.
Despite the rhetoric about strict criteria, mandatory reporting and tight regulation, it is impossible to safely manage legalised euthanasia. As Herbert Hendin, medical director of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and professor of psychiatry at New York Medical College, puts it: "One hardly knows which is more chilling, the widespread flouting of the scant and effectively toothless legal regulation of euthanasia in Holland, or the sangfroid with which it is defended by the Dutch practitioners."
This is why every major body of inquiry worldwide has rejected voluntary euthanasia, and why modern communities should continue to do so.
Greg Pike is director of the Southern Cross Bioethics Institute.
Free market rules?
You didn't notice that a form of euthanasia, assisted suicide, has been legal in Oregon since 1997?
Yes, I've heard of families taking care of their elderly and the drain on their resources was terrible. Couldn't afford a second car, had to cancel Showtime and Cinemax, their teenagers couldn't have cell phones or playstations or rent a limo for the prom. It was really sad.
Finally they sat the kids down and said, "Look if we kill grandma you can both get iPods..."
AND in Florida.
AND in Florida.
Perhaps one day if you have raised grown children, you will have a less cynical view. Good luck.
Disability does not diminish the value of life. Perhaps you should spend some time on the "Not Dead Yet" website.
Most animals are euthanized not for suffering but because they are inconvenient.
That's the point of the article...
May you never suffer the indignity of inconveniencing your loved ones.
I don't understand why it's humane to euthanize suffering animals, but intelligent humans are not allowed the same dignity."
Is that you Feinstein?
1) You understand don't you, that in the same way that apples are not oranges, humans are not animals. Thus, your lack of understanding is based on a misunderstanding of the value of human life.
2) People have always been free to kill themselves. As long as they don't enlist others for assistance, there is no legal issue (the morality of the act notwithstanding).
3) What man can do, man will do. "Mercy killing" will eventually lead to "merciless killing", as human life - and dignity - are further and further eroded.
4) Be careful what you wish for...
"I suppose they oppose the death penalty for criminals too."
Oh no! Euthanasia is only for the innocent, you know. For the guilty, we are supposed to have mercy. Go figure.
You forgot your sarc/ tag
So the Dutch are catching up with Hitler's playbook -- Nazi Aktion T4 euthanasia program -- and we're catching up with the Dutch. When America dies, put "liberalism" as the cause of death.
There was one on record, Elizabeth Bouvia, but she changed her mind after a day or two of dehydration/starvation.
Also, if the people who want to die would do it themselves, they'd not drag family members into it to do it for them. To me, it's the height of selfishness for a person to try to force that person's family to kill that family member or force the family to make the decision to kill that family member.
Doctors, nurses and family members should not be dragged into the mess if a person wants to suicide.
You’re getting the slams you had to know were coming when you posted. I’m with you, though…I, for one, will not be dying in a hospital bed, in diapers and drooling on myself. “God will pardon me. It is his trade.”
That's absolutely brilliant. Well done. Jonathan Swift must be proud of you. I have just one more suggestion: "Soylent Green". ;'}
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