Should your doc legally be able to help you end your life?

I would have to vote in favor of the patients request. I don't think any of should have to live our life in misery or pain. I have a living will and I request not to be hooked up to any kind of machine. I do not want to live my life artificially. It puts a burden on you and your family. It also racks up a huge medical bill that will burden the remaining family for a very long time. I think people who choose not to live any longer, should have the choice to end their lives medically without pain. I do believe they should be examined though before giving them that alternative. Some people may be cured of whatever is ailing them, but some cannot and I totally agree that they should have a choice of what they want to do with their life.

Wel;l I really do not know what I think of this I guess it would depend how bad the Illness is and how bad the Person is suffering. I don't know. If it was to be done to me then I would never want to know about it. I could not know that I am about to finish my Life. It is an awful thought. But I do guess that some People will be relieved by it. I don't know if it is a good thing or a bad thing.

I guess if I was screaming in pain from cancer and I would never get better I too would want to end my life, since it would end soon anyway. I just cannot imagine my family in agony and I feel if they want to pass over under those circumstances it is their choice.

I think this is one of the best laws I've heard about in a long time. For those who are terminally ill and all they have is a long road of pain and suffering ahead of them, let alone the medical cost that could drain the family's resources and the emotional pain on the family I can understand why they would want to end their life. When there is no way to save them, where they cannot have any quality of life left and they are precieved to be a burden I think it should be their choice. I think a doctor should be able to give them the aid they require. So long as they make sure that the person isn't just doing it for depression. That they do have stiff criteria for it and make sure that it is adhered to then I think it's a great thing to have happen. I know many people have DNR's or living wills in place. We don't want to live in such a pain filled and useless existence. Why shouldn't we be able to take the next step when we know something like that is before us? This is one I would vote for. I think it is needed.

I think it would be a good idea to have that option. Just having it doesn't in any way force you to use it, you know. And actually, this is not at all a new idea. There have been doctors in the past who wrote a generous supply of sleeping medicine with the caution that "so many of these could kill you" which actually was a subtle hint. Patients who were looking for this would catch the hint; others just would be careful in how they took it. I think that shows a great deal of compassion on the doctor's part. It's not at all the same concept as someone else administering medicine that would help a person to pass on.

Raydene - this is one I cannot make my mind up on! I do know that we will not let a sick animal suffer continually for years unneccessarily - that would be considered cruel! I know in some cases when someone's brain is affected that they want to end it all while they still have moments of lucidity and clearness! I also know that if someone is in pain beyond endurance then it is unfair to condemn them to years of life like that with no way out but I cannot imagine being able to stay with my friend or family while they did something like this! perhaps I am just a coward but I truly cannot come to a definitive conclusion on this one!

I would also vote in favor for this. I watched my Dad suffer terribly with lung cancer. Trying to catch your breath has got to be the hardest way to go. Not to mention the pain associated with the cancer. In fact today marks his 11 years with the Lord. The Ides of March....