shieldgenerator7 wrote:
This brings up another question: do most poeple decide for euthenasia because they want attention or are just sick of living?
Most people who talk of euthanasia basically consider it an extension of the current "end of life"documents, things like living wills and such.
(note.. speaking of US laws here)
Right now, You can get what is called a "living will".. and I HIGHLY reccommend everyone do this. It lays out specific choices that YOU make, its revokable, so that if you change your mind, you can. (in fact, when it comes to ceasing certain kinds of care, this document alone is not legally binding, your loved ones have to agree.. but it can serve to give them an idea of what you would want, which can be very helpful). It might say something like "take all measures possible and available" or something more along the lines of if I am not able to respond and there is little brain activity, let me go naturally. It can also specify that you want to donate your organs, etc. (in some states, putting that on your driver's license is considered legal authorization, but in other states your next of kin would have to agree in the end.)
Anyway, there is Another document, one that ONLY comes into play when you are actually terminal.. usually given no more than 6 months to live, but in this, they tend to be pretty conservative. This usually won't include the "do everything"option, becuase that is basically the "default". Doctors WILL do everything unless you or your next of kin say otherwise. This one will say "keep feeding and hydration,but don't take aggressive measures and many other very,very specific choices (give oxeygen, but do not hook up to a respirator, for example). One of the choices, known to anyone with basically any kind of medical training is a "Do not ressucitate" Order, or a "DNR". This is allowed because a person will have already "died". Their lungs and heart have stopped working (note .. brain death is something different). The doctors are prevented from interfering with the natural process,are to allow the person to die. This is ONLY used in the very end stages, is pretty universal and is no longer very controversial.
In addition, some people, fully aware of the legalities, simply advise loved ones "not to call 911", given xyz. They know that medical technology today can keep them alive long past the point they consider really living. It is tricky and touchy at times. L oved ones can be prosecuted for not calling 911 in some cases. But...
Some people go further and will commit suicide when they get close to that point, before they are actually admitted to a hospital. To them, the idea of laying in a bed hooked up to a machine is just not life. They may be in pain, they may have cultural ideas, etc.
Euthanasia, as proposed carries this just a bit further. It says that in some circumstances, someone who is dying from Lou Gerhigs disease, perhaps Alzheimers, etc. may not be physically or mentally able to actually commit suicide. They want to live as long as they are able to function, but don't want to live past that point. This is where you sometimes hear of "assisted suicide". In most cases, in the US, it is firmly illegal. Whether you are prosecuted or not, though might depend on a lot of circumstances.
Answer your question?
)
) --- it's got SHIELDS!
