Life

[Deleted472477User]

I've heard a lot of people talk about the sanctity of life, but I was wondering if life was sacred for the sake of being so, or would the quality of that life be just as important. I remember about stories of people trying to save the lives of others, as in abortion clinics but yet they leave these babies in situations where they grow up without love and are neglected and abused. I also remember stories about people coming in trying to restrict the rights of others to give their loved ones a dignified end to a artificially extended existence, plugged into a machine.

 

 

I remember a few years ago about a women that was brain dead and was on life support and a feeding tube for decades. The husband wanted to take her off the machines and let her pass in a dignified manner and her parents were fighting him. Would that be living a life or would that be simply existing.

 

Terry Schiavo

 

If it came to you would you place in your will that you didn't want to placed on any life support, if you were brain dead. If you had a family member that was in the same situation, and you knew their wishes, could you pull the plug on them.

 

 

I'm on a political debate forum, and I brought up the same point you make in your first paragraph. It's gotten a lively response. I have theories, but they verge on discussing the R word and I don't want to go there.

 

I remember the whole Terry Schiavo thing. It horrifies me to think she could have been like that forever. But this gets into another debate--did her soul depart, and the machines kept the body going, or was she trapped in there? Either way, I would want to be allowed to die with dignity. And if a loved one were in that situation, and wanted to be let go, I would respect their wishes.

[Ghogiel]

If it came to you would you place in your will that you didn't want to placed on any life support, if you were brain dead. If you had a family member that was in the same situation, and you knew their wishes, could you pull the plug on them.

Yes. And I have been sworn to pull plugs. I consider it my moral duty after that fact.

[ginnyfizz]

I have rheumatoid arthritis and am currently feeling pretty pukey having taken my chemo a while back. Nevertheless, pain and creaking joints notwithstanding, I'm going to fight all the way. But, should it come to the point that there is no brain stem activity (and that isn't going to be caused by my RA directly of course), then I should want the plugs pulling. A living will would indeed be a good idea.

 

What sometimes concerns me is that in this debate about life is that, whilst it is up to the individual what they themselves consider to be a quality of life not worth living, is when either they try to involve others in their decision, or when there is a question of mental capacity, that the law has a duty to step in. Not starting a religious debate here, but before anyone else brings up the fact that I am a practising Roman Catholic, my problems around the termination of human life have to do with the legal issues and potential abuse of power rather than the religious angle. This is why I have a massive issue with assisted suicide and am vehemently opposed to any attempts to make it legal here in the UK. Ceasing artificial ventilation and allowing someone to pass away is one thing, asking someone to administer lethal drugs to you is quite another. Do it yourself if you still have the capacity, or make a living will and say "Do not resuscitate" and "palliative care only". But do not ask anyone to be a party to murder.

 

I feel that once we open the floodgates for assisted suicide, we open the floodgates for abuse. Particularly for elderly inconvenient folk, especially ones with property, to be persuaded either by impatient relatives or "can't be bothered because geriatrics are not glamorous" medics that they have been around too long. I understand that in the Netherlands, where euthanasia is not so frowned on, the elderly get somewhat nervous at the prospect of going to hospital.

 

My mother has Alzheimer's. Her specialist considers her worth prescribing the top of the range treatment, galanthamine, rather than doping her up with anti psychotics. And does she lead a full life? Absolutely. Sure she's confused. But you should see her little face light up when I get home from work in the evening. Or her simple delight in a nice meal or present. I know that she does not want to go just yet. Please don't tell me her life isn't worth living...unless you wish to risk the chariot wheels of the rampant redhead!

[marharth]

I have rheumatoid arthritis and am currently feeling pretty pukey having taken my chemo a while back. Nevertheless, pain and creaking joints notwithstanding, I'm going to fight all the way. But, should it come to the point that there is no brain stem activity (and that isn't going to be caused by my RA directly of course), then I should want the plugs pulling. A living will would indeed be a good idea.

 

What sometimes concerns me is that in this debate about life is that, whilst it is up to the individual what they themselves consider to be a quality of life not worth living, is when either they try to involve others in their decision, or when there is a question of mental capacity, that the law has a duty to step in. Not starting a religious debate here, but before anyone else brings up the fact that I am a practising Roman Catholic, my problems around the termination of human life have to do with the legal issues and potential abuse of power rather than the religious angle. This is why I have a massive issue with assisted suicide and am vehemently opposed to any attempts to make it legal here in the UK. Ceasing artificial ventilation and allowing someone to pass away is one thing, asking someone to administer lethal drugs to you is quite another. Do it yourself if you still have the capacity, or make a living will and say "Do not resuscitate" and "palliative care only". But do not ask anyone to be a party to murder.

 

I feel that once we open the floodgates for assisted suicide, we open the floodgates for abuse. Particularly for elderly inconvenient folk, especially ones with property, to be persuaded either by impatient relatives or "can't be bothered because geriatrics are not glamorous" medics that they have been around too long. I understand that in the Netherlands, where euthanasia is not so frowned on, the elderly get somewhat nervous at the prospect of going to hospital.

 

My mother has Alzheimer's. Her specialist considers her worth prescribing the top of the range treatment, galanthamine, rather than doping her up with anti psychotics. And does she lead a full life? Absolutely. Sure she's confused. But you should see her little face light up when I get home from work in the evening. Or her simple delight in a nice meal or present. I know that she does not want to go just yet. Please don't tell me her life isn't worth living...unless you wish to risk the chariot wheels of the rampant redhead!

.

I thought that other things will fall under assisted suicide, not just killing them yourself with permission. By legal definition, isn't it also assisted suicide to supply someone with the tools needed to commit suicide? f not, I agree with you on that.

 

A more direct question to you though. If someone was completely brain dead, and only brain activity was simple movements and basic instincts, can the family draw the line or not? Would there be any situations when they could do it. What would be the absolute worst thing that could happen (if anything) to make to pull the plug?

[ginnyfizz]

In answer to your points

 

(1) Yes, supplying someone with the tools to commit suicide would also be illegal here in the UK

(2) I already answered that - total brain stem death and breathing only with the aid of a ventilator, that would certainly be a time to draw the line.

[Flintlockecole]

I've put it down in my will of sort's that if I've gone brain dead give it two weeks and if nothing has improved take my gun and splatter my brain's, it seem cruel from my point of view to just drop the life support.

[marharth]

In answer to your points

 

(1) Yes, supplying someone with the tools to commit suicide would also be illegal here in the UK

(2) I already answered that - total brain stem death and breathing only with the aid of a ventilator, that would certainly be a time to draw the line.

 

So lets say someone was weak, and couldn't get the supplies themselves to end their life.

 

Would you have a issue with someone bringing the tools to them? Not taking into account legal matters, just on a moral stance.

[Germandeathkittiez]

In answer to your points

 

(1) Yes, supplying someone with the tools to commit suicide would also be illegal here in the UK

(2) I already answered that - total brain stem death and breathing only with the aid of a ventilator, that would certainly be a time to draw the line.

 

So lets say someone was weak, and couldn't get the supplies themselves to end their life.

 

Would you have a issue with someone bringing the tools to them? Not taking into account legal matters, just on a moral stance.

 

Depression can come from illness, and if so, people can be treated with therapy and live even with their illness. Of course, it depends on the severity of the illness too. If someone is strapped to a bed, maybe they will want to end their suffering. But personally, if I had such a bad illness, as long as I have my brain functioning at least adequately I think I should make it my duty to live with the suffering. I just have too many ideas that I want to have heard in my lifetime and I also take a selfless stance that I'd do whatever I can to help other people in the world, even if I'm doing it from a hospital bed. When it comes to ending someone's life, I think, who are we to decide it is their time? Who are they to decide? I don't think I'd give them the tools, simply because we do not know truly what happens to them when they die.

[HeyYou]

In answer to your points

 

(1) Yes, supplying someone with the tools to commit suicide would also be illegal here in the UK

(2) I already answered that - total brain stem death and breathing only with the aid of a ventilator, that would certainly be a time to draw the line.

 

So lets say someone was weak, and couldn't get the supplies themselves to end their life.

 

Would you have a issue with someone bringing the tools to them? Not taking into account legal matters, just on a moral stance.

 

Depression can come from illness, and if so, people can be treated with therapy and live even with their illness. Of course, it depends on the severity of the illness too. If someone is strapped to a bed, maybe they will want to end their suffering. But personally, if I had such a bad illness, as long as I have my brain functioning at least adequately I think I should make it my duty to live with the suffering. I just have too many ideas that I want to have heard in my lifetime and I also take a selfless stance that I'd do whatever I can to help other people in the world, even if I'm doing it from a hospital bed. When it comes to ending someone's life, I think, who are we to decide it is their time? Who are they to decide? I don't think I'd give them the tools, simply because we do not know truly what happens to them when they die.

 

Whose life is it? The individuals? The families? The governments?? If I decide that my life is no longer worth living, it is pure arrogance on ANYONE'S part to claim that I am wrong, or mis-guided, or mentally deficient, and tell me I have to live with it anyway. When the time comes, that I do indeed feel my life is no longer worth the trouble, I will take what action I feel necessary. Laws and such notwithstanding. It is MY life.

[Keanumoreira]

Although not serious compared to most, I have Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Without medication, it is impossible for me (maybe it's just me) to really lead a fair life in terms of career competition or what have you. My own education is even in question. Sure, it's not fatal, it's not really dangerous or severe, but anything that I consider interfering with other people's lives is enough for me.

 

In terms of this pulling the plug thing, I would never have the heart to end another human being's life, especially none dealing with my family's. Of course, I say that now because I've never been placed in that situation before, but I'd still feel that I just couldn't do it. Coward or not, I believe it is not my duty to dictate when someone dies. To decide the fate of someone else is a pretty big undertaking, and it is something you will always carry with you until your time comes. Life isn't just a suitcase that you can pick up and drop whenever you want to, it is the luggage that carries all of your memories and experiences with you that you can't sail down a river and forget. There are somethings in our lives that we can never unsee, and the life changing event of ending a life is a difficult one. I'd never vote for someone to suffer, or give them the means to excute themselves, I'd either pull the plug myself if I really ever get strong enough, or I'd just bring in the second most loved one to them to do it.

 

And about what determines what makes life sacred....

 

To me, the simple act of living is sacred in itself because, well, there isn't anything like life. The will to interact and change your surroundings and give to others who can also make a difference in the universe we live in is both unique and resourceful. We are the product of a universe that creates, given the gift to do the same.

Edited July 12, 2011 by Keanumoreira