State judge rules Montana residents have right to assisted suicide

[Dan_77]

Alright, then why not kill yourself, why do you need a third party to commit homicide for your sake?

So if completely immobile Stephen Hawking is diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer and given 3 months to live, you don't see a reason why he might need help ending his life quickly?

[grandpa]

So if completely immobile Stephen Hawking is diagnosed with inoperable
brain cancer and given 3 months to live, you don't
see a reason why he might need help ending his
life quickly?

Or -- and I'm sure this has happened in the course of human history -- what if someone is uncomfortable with dying by his or her own hand?

Grandpa h.

[HelioPrime]

Or -- and I'm sure this has happened in the course of human history -- what if someone is uncomfortable with dying by his or her own hand?

Grandpa h.

Cowardly Casius?

I'm all for letting people choose to risk it with this choice if they want. If they feel death is just the end and want to end it early find then. But don't attempt to make it a duty that every doctor must agree to help their patients die if the patient so desires.

Some states already force pharmacists to prescribe birth control pills, soon all doctors could be required to submit to patients wishes for them to assist in suicide.

[Gods_Mercenary]

Or -- and I'm sure this has happened in the course of human history -- what if someone is uncomfortable with dying by his or her own hand?

Grandpa h.

Then they shouldn't expect someone else to do their work for them. I certainly see no moral difference between having someone kill you based solely on your wishes and pulling the trigger yourself.

[Jack]

I don't see one either. Perhaps that's why it's called "assisted suicide".

[viper]

Well first off Jack let me offer my sincere condolences to you.

A similar measure was passed here in Washington this november. Personally I have mixed feelings; on one hand I see nothing wrong with someone making the decision to end their own life. On the other however I'm wary because in my opinion (even with the precautions take in this legislation) it could be potentially dangerous, especially with government getting more and more involved in the health care field these days.

[Aussie]

Alright, then why not kill yourself, why do you need a third party to commit homicide for your sake?

Because many many people fvck it up in the process and make their lives even worse and more painful. Some go through excruciating pain and dont die in the process. Many elderly people here actually starting trying to make their own concoctions using advice off the internet but blew themselves up in the process. This is why medical intervention is needed, as people will do what they want to do, regardless of the law, and if no one will help them, they'll try it themselves.

No one else should be able to dictate whether or not a person wishes to end their stay here on earth (unless they do not have the mental capacity to decide themselves).

[Dan_77]

Cowardly Casius?

I'm all for letting people choose to risk it with this choice if they want. If they feel death is just the end and want to end it early find then. But don't attempt to make it a duty that every doctor must agree to help their patients die if the patient so desires.

No one is saying it would be a duty.

Since when are all physicians required (or even allowed) to perform all procedures?

I assume that this procedure would come under the specialty of geriatrics or palliative medicine.

Some states already force pharmacists to prescribe birth control pills, soon all doctors could be required to submit to patients wishes for them to assist in suicide.

There is a vast difference. The role of a pharmacist is to fulfill a doctor's prescription when the doctor (with patient help) has decided what is in the best interests of the patient. The pharmacist has no role in making judgments about the care of the patient, save for preventing harmful drug interactions.

I cannot find evidence of a single law in the United States that tells a doctor they must perform a certain procedure.

[Gods_Mercenary]

Because many many people fvck it up in the process and make their lives even worse and more painful. Some go through excruciating pain and dont die in the process. Many elderly people here actually starting trying to make their own concoctions using advice off the internet but blew themselves up in the process. This is why medical intervention is needed, as people will do what they want to do, regardless of the law, and if no one will help them, they'll try it themselves.

No one else should be able to dictate whether or not a person wishes to end their stay here on earth (unless they do not have the mental capacity to decide themselves).

Human bodies a fragile thing, its not that hard to destroy. I'm interested in how you would judge a suicidal person's mental capacity? Certainly you wouldn't want a person with chronic depression to be able to get the hospital to kill themselves, and they have perfectly normal mental capacity.

[grandpa]

Human bodies a fragile thing, its not that hard to
destroy.
I'm interested in how you would judge a suicidal person's
mental capacity?

This is why, in most instances, the mental state would be considered alongside the physical one.

Grandpa h.

[Walrus]

Human bodies a fragile thing, its not that hard to destroy.

I think human bodies are actually quite tough. I would have no idea of how to kill myself, not in a way that would be painless, would have a 100% success rate and not make a mess for someone else to find and clear up.

... and I am physically fit; many who are terminally ill are rendered feeble by their illness and would probably find it impossible to terminate their lives.

[Piscean]

State judge rules Montana residents have right to assisted suicide -- OrlandoSentinel.com

I applaud this ruling, especially after watching my Mom slowly die last year. We have a right to determine our own fate.

I agree totally.