Medical Assisted Suicide??

[Binty]

The difference is that these people don't actively want to die.  Could be argued that neither did their victims but surely if we act like the criminal, that just brings us down to their level?

Anyway, wiith places like Dignitas, you're just giving someone who desperately *does* want to die, a helping hand.

[Osensitive1]

The US has hospice care for the terminal; palliative care is an acceptable middle ground.

[Adam]

but if someone desperately wants to die, any kind of "care" they receive is meaningless - it is FORCING them to endure suffering against their will

[bodie]

i can honestly say a 'hospice' is the last place i would want to die.

[Eclair]

i can honestly say a 'hospice' is the last place i would want to die.

I agree, but I can't recall anyone saying "I think a hospice would be the most appropriate place to die".

The reality is...there is a point where people become so worn down, they don't care, they just want respite, anywhere.

[Callaway]

i can honestly say a 'hospice' is the last place i would want to die.

My aunt got hospice care near the end of her life, but she got this care at home.

[Osensitive1]

but if someone desperately wants to die, any kind of "care" they receive is meaningless - it is FORCING them to endure suffering against their will

The point of hospice is not to treat illness or prolong anything, but to relieve suffering; maybe it's different here, don't know.

[Osensitive1]

My aunt got hospice care near the end of her life, but she got this care at home.

Seems most is in home if it's possible.

[earthboundmisfit]

I don't want to die peacefully. When I'm ready to go, load me in a rocket, and auger me into the fucking moon.

['andersom']

Actually, there were less crimes in the UK (and in Sweden too) back when you could buy a gun as easily as in the US. Anti-gun propaganda seems to work like a lobotomy on people who believe in it.

Back in the days when there were less people?

[TheoK]

Actually, there were less crimes in the UK (and in Sweden too) back when you could buy a gun as easily as in the US. Anti-gun propaganda seems to work like a lobotomy on people who believe in it.

Back in the days when there were less people?

Even if you take that into account, there were relatively few crimes. And 90% of people working full time back then had less to live on than a person having disability pension or welfare has today. Considering the poverty and great social gaps, there should have been much more violence, but there wasn't.

['andersom']

Actually, there were less crimes in the UK (and in Sweden too) back when you could buy a gun as easily as in the US. Anti-gun propaganda seems to work like a lobotomy on people who believe in it.

Back in the days when there were less people?

Even if you take that into account, there were relatively few crimes. And 90% of people working full time back then had less to live on than a person having disability pension or welfare has today. Considering the poverty and great social gaps, there should have been much more violence, but there wasn't.

There will have been unreported crime. Daughters of peasants raped by the landlord, and no one telling, fearing for their bread and such.

Statistics can't be compared just like that.

['andersom']

In ancient Rome, some people got a warning the day before they'd get a death-penalty.
Thus they would have the time to take their own life, and in that way, they would keep the family possessions within the family.
Were they sentenced to death, all their belongings would fall in the hands of the state.

[TheoK]

I prefer America in 1850 or so. 

['andersom']

Right to die when you want?

Guess so, but I think it is very important to verify it is really the wish of the person that wants to die, and that he or she has seriously thought up the alternatives. I guess I am close to Callaway in my opinion on this.

Here there is assisted suicide for people with physical suffering without hope of ending of that suffering. Two different doctors have to be convinced it is the wish of the person who wants to die, and not pressure from family, or fear of this person to be a burden to the family.

Don't think impulsive suicide wishes should be enough to get medical assistance for suicide.
But a deep long wish, can't see why not.

Would hate a job like that btw. Assisting people who really suffer is already hard on the people assisting them. Helping people who are not suffering at all, but just think it is enough, very hard job.

Having suicide attempts illegal makes no sense to me at all.