[little jeremiah]

And the danger with legalizing euthanasia or even turning a blind eyes is this:

“Well, he’s supposed to live for another two days/two weeks/two months/two years but he’s in such pain, he’ll never be cured, it’s really the kind thing to do...plus, our insurance is running out, and I can’t possibly give him the care at home, and... and... And the doctor said it won’t hurt, he’ll just go to sleep and not wake up...”

I can see it and hear it now.

[firebrand]

This monologue would never occur in most cases. The amount of morphine needed to ease the pain would eventually be increased to a lethal dose. That is what Kirkwood was saying. No discernible difference, except in intent.

Of course with some fatal illnesses, pain is not the problem.

In bygone days the morphine dose would be regulated so it did not kill the patient. That was barbaric. When we can ease the pain, we should, and I'm glad we now do so.