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The Right to Choose

B

BDBoop

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I know at least one other member feels we should have the right to end our lives when we wish, as we see fit, without the stigma inherent to suicide. I would like to start a discussion which would address the pros, cons, and feasibility of such an option becoming legal.
 
Can't control "stigma".
 
I don't believe in medical intervention against suicide attempts; it's an unconscionable violation of a person's dignity. For any other terminal illness, we would respect their decision to refuse treatment.
 
BDBoop said:
I know at least one other member feels we should have the right to end our lives when we wish, as we see fit, without the stigma inherent to suicide. I would like to start a discussion which would address the pros, cons, and feasibility of such an option becoming legal.
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A con comes down to life insurance and deligating responsibilities that are left undealt with.

Insurance shouldn't have to cover suicide - as they don't now.
Who pays the last bills if insurance doesn't cover?
Does committing suicide erase any and all transgressions and loose ends?

I really don't have generally applied answers for this: it would be more case by case.
 
Viktyr Korimir said:
I don't believe in medical intervention against suicide attempts; it's an unconscionable violation of a person's dignity. For any other terminal illness, we would respect their decision to refuse treatment.
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One wonders if it's possible to be clutching a DNR when the body is found?
 
Aunt Spiker said:
A con comes down to life insurance and deligating responsibilities that are left undealt with.

Insurance shouldn't have to cover suicide - as they don't now.
Who pays the last bills if insurance doesn't cover?
Does committing suicide erase any and all transgressions and loose ends?

I really don't have generally applied answers for this: it would be more case by case.
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But why is that? All it does is punish the survivors.
 
BDBoop said:
One wonders if it's possible to be clutching a DNR when the body is found?
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I'm not in the legal or the medical professions, but I don't believe that a DNR applies to suicide attempts.
 
BDBoop said:
But why is that? All it does is punish the survivors.
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Why should they cover someone's decision to kill theirselves? People should be valued more ALIVE - without being given any reason to gain from killing theirselves.

If a suicidal indivudal is so concerned about their family they shouldn't be offing theirselves to begin with.
 
It's a difficult subject. On the one hand, I think a person should be able to throw in the flag, on the other, a person contemplating ending it all may very well not be in "their right mind". I think the only thing I could ethically support is a person foregoing life extending procedures or medications.
 
In truth, this question has been much on my mind of late, what with all the possible cuts in medicare, medicaid, and social security. Combine that with noise from the scientific community about possibly extending life, and not a few of us having no safety net .... :shrug: things start looking a little scary.
 
Viktyr Korimir said:
I don't believe in medical intervention against suicide attempts; it's an unconscionable violation of a person's dignity. For any other terminal illness, we would respect their decision to refuse treatment.
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And what about in situations where the person is just having a really really bad day...week...month, and after the medical intervention and aftercare they make dramatic changes and continue to live productive lives with great benefit to their families, children, etc?
 
VanceMack said:
And what about in situations where the person is just having a really really bad day...week...month, and after the medical intervention and aftercare they make dramatic changes and continue to live productive lives with great benefit to their families, children, etc?
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Good for them, but it doesn't justify violating the rights of everyone who wants to die.
 
I believe we should all have the right to stay or go. Period.
 
Viktyr Korimir said:
Good for them, but it doesn't justify violating the rights of everyone who wants to die.
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Im actually all about a happy compromise. Im not opposed to the right to die for the terminally ill. Im not sure what it would look like to 'allow' for such things and dont know too many doctors that would facilitate it. But where people are discovered to be actively suicidal I will always work to intercede.
 
Viktyr Korimir said:
Good for them, but it doesn't justify violating the rights of everyone who wants to die.
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DO you think everyone that comes to that decision is always mentally capable of making that decision?
 
Viktyr Korimir said:
I don't believe in medical intervention against suicide attempts; it's an unconscionable violation of a person's dignity. For any other terminal illness, we would respect their decision to refuse treatment.
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i can't agree with you here.....too many times a suicide attempt is a cry for help. cliche, but true.
 
i think that the vast majority of people who really WANT to commit suicide succeed.
 
BDBoop said:
In truth, this question has been much on my mind of late, what with all the possible cuts in medicare, medicaid, and social security. Combine that with noise from the scientific community about possibly extending life, and not a few of us having no safety net .... :shrug: things start looking a little scary.
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huge amounts of the medical spending of our lifetimes is in the last year of our life. that's alot for the IPAB to find "not cost effective" :(


in reality; i can see why just easing your way out of it is attractive to many who are dying slowly. why put your family through more pain to avoid the inevitable? but i worry that we will create an incentive structure for people to be pushed into "considering" this option; which morally (though not legally) I would judge to be at least accessory. strict definition of the "in my right mind" clause would have to be the rule.
 
So I guess I just fall asleep in a snow bank clutching a DNR and hope for the best.
 
BDBoop said:
So I guess I just fall asleep in a snow bank clutching a DNR and hope for the best.
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Does that seem like a rational course of action someone would take?
 
mac said:
Does that seem like a rational course of action someone would take?
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If it's the least of the evils - of course.
 
BDBoop said:
If it's the least of the evils - of course.
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It kinda backs up my earlier post.....one must question the mindset and rationality of someone wishing to "end it all".
 
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