The DU Lounge
Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsI'm not sure how I feel. What do you think? Assisted Suicide.
As the title alludes to, Im not sure how I feel about assisted suicide. Ive read several different perspectives. Illinois just signed in their bill into law.
What do you think? Pro? Con? Undecided ?
IbogaProject
(5,733 posts)They described end stage bone cancer, not something anyone should have to stay alive through. The body's bones start splitting apart causing intractible pain. Yes there needs to be limits and a formal process but ultimately there are situations where its reasonable until there is a cure.
JoseBalow
(9,378 posts)for a loved one who has experienced two broken femurs due to metastasized stage-4 cancer in their bones, among other places. I would support whatever decision they may make, no matter how emotionally painful for myself, in order to ease their pain and suffering.
I would want the same autonomy for myself, were I in a similar situation.
Grim Chieftain
(1,478 posts)You both are in my thoughts.
JoseBalow
(9,378 posts)I appreciate that.
True Dough
(26,200 posts)Professional athletes make astronomical sums of money
Hollywood is awash in cash.
And yet the duty you are doing, Jose, is of far greater value than any of that. All the best to you and your beloved.
Easterncedar
(5,901 posts)I think it would go a long way to eliminating peoples fear of it being abused if we had healthcare coverage for everyone so no one would decide to kill themselves to prevent their families from going broke.
OldBaldy1701E
(10,788 posts)Eko
(9,885 posts)Its yourself.
JBTaurus83
(1,020 posts)Its not used as some dystopian tool to save companies money.
OldBaldy1701E
(10,788 posts)The 'booth' may be a bit more final, but it would be quicker than slowly starving and letting us die from preventable things as they are doing now.
CaliforniaPeggy
(156,401 posts)We need to be free to choose. Of course there must be safeguards so no-one is coerced or forced.
The dying person has the right to end the suffering.
J_William_Ryan
(3,428 posts)Most people support assisted suicide when it comes to those with a terminal illness, who will suffer until they die and have a short time to live.
Support drops off sharply when it comes to quality of life those with a significant disability that is not terminal, who want to die because theyll never recover.
The problem with those who oppose assisted suicide (mostly conservatives) is that they also oppose funding mental health programs to prevent suicide and assist those with mental health issues.
OldBaldy1701E
(10,788 posts)The cruelty is the point.
Phoenix61
(18,782 posts)suffer until their last breath. We deserve the same compassion.
Grim Chieftain
(1,478 posts)We decided to end the suffering for two of our beloved dogs. It nearly killed me, but it was the humane thing to do.
JoseBalow
(9,378 posts)with my sweet 15-year-old pittie. It was the most painful decision I have ever had to make.
Grim Chieftain
(1,478 posts)JoseBalow
(9,378 posts)Hugs to you too
Cloudhopper
(171 posts)I put down my last kitty (there were once 3) just 24 hrs ago. He was 20 y.o.
So weird not to have a cat to take care of after 22 years of them living with us.
3catwoman3
(29,040 posts)Personally, I never liked put down because it sounds cold. Put to sleep isnt accurate - we wish they were only sleeping. And euthanasia sounds so unemotional and impersonal.
Liberating the spirit has an element of kindness to it.
So sorry you dont have any cats in your life now. I know they are still,in your heart.
Grim Chieftain
(1,478 posts)We had two bichon brothers who were the sweetest dogs I've ever had. Boo Bear had liver failure and our vet recommended we put him down to spare him from suffering. He was twelve. Four years later, his brother, Doodle, deteriorated to the point that we had to do the humane thing.
We made three appointments and canceled them all until we finally had to let him go. He was sixteen. Although we have two dogs we got since then, I miss Doodle and Boo Bear each and every day of my life - and they have been gone over ten years.
Losing a beloved pet is pure hell. Hugs to you, Cloudhopper.
RockRaven
(18,994 posts)Marie Marie
(11,099 posts)know that we treat our animals more humanely than humans at the end of life. As long as an evaluation is done on the mental capacity of the departing or their medical POA if incapacitated.
jmbar2
(7,828 posts)We do it for our beloved pets. I would want the same consideration to end suffering.
Ferryboat
(1,251 posts)Parkinson, wife's close friend chose this route. Bonnie was holding her hand at the end. As a bystander it was very humbling to watch the process.
Not spur of the moment, but well thought out.
applegrove
(131,311 posts)It allows people to skip sometimes weeks or months of pain. I will do it when I'm 89 and terminally Ill.
Attilatheblond
(8,568 posts)When the bone cancer had her stuck on her couch, in horrible pain, she had rich time with daughter and granddaughter, knowing her pain would be over soon. It brought peace and relief to her and her family.
I loved her and miss her terribly, but am so very grateful that Canada had the wisdom and decency to allow for assisted end to her pain. Her decision, her physicians knew there was no further relief from the horrible pain, only release. I am grateful for the kindness the state allowed her and others like her.
It is horrible that this is not an option here. One hopes we set aside religious doctrine, devices of men who want to control others always, and allow for kinder answers to hopeless illness and immeasurable pain.
but it MUST be very clear indeed the decision is being made by and in the best interest of the person suffering
Deuxcents
(26,208 posts)mnhtnbb
(33,252 posts)medical assistance to end their life is that or unbearable pain , relentless deterioration, or just plain suicide. I am in favor of leaving the choice up to the individual and family.
I tried to help my late husband face the decision I knew was coming by moving us to Bonaire in 2015 where assisted suicide is legal, not just for terminal patients. He refused to go. In the end, he blew his brains out in 2018 leaving not only a physical mess, but a legal, financial and psychological mess, too. It would have been a lot easier for everyone all around if his doc had been able to help him take the step when he was ready to go.
rampartd
(4,368 posts)"that is entirely your right. "
he did die naturally the next day (lungs) but i reserve this right to myself, and the decision does not involve any politician or pope.
3catwoman3
(29,040 posts)markie
(23,959 posts)my body, my choice... although within that context, is hopefully a caring community... my husband was in a lot of pain, and I told him I would help in any way I could if he made that choice.... it didn't get to that point, but I would have respected his wishes.
genxlib
(6,108 posts)Personally, I would not restrict it to terminal conditions. I think quality of life matters. If I were to lose my whole family in an auto accident and ended up an old quadriplegic I am fairly certain I would want to follow them. I know it is a sensitive subject surrounding mental health but there are many kinds of pain that are cruel to force someone to bear.
In my opinion, resistance to death when it is desired by cogent adults is a religious hang up. Like most religious hang-ups, it should not be enforced on the masses in a free secular society.
Goonch
(4,479 posts)to the House Judiciary Committee.
First introduced on April 3, 2025, the bill has been carried over into the 2026 legislative session. It currently sits at a 25% progression status, meaning it has been introduced but has not yet advanced to a full chamber vote.
Bill Overview
The legislation aims to establish a legal framework for "medical aid in dying" for terminally ill residents.
Ferrets are Cool
(22,656 posts)My body, my wishes.
sinkingfeeling
(57,560 posts)markodochartaigh
(5,272 posts)I'm all for euthanasia. I have seen people dying in pain and how stressful that is for the patient and the family. The only reasons to keep someone alive through a tortuous end of life are a religious belief imposed by people who don't have to suffer the torture, a vain hope for a miraculous recovery, and the lucrative extraction of profit by the "health" care industry, 20% of which goes to administration and 20% of which goes to insurance companies.
mike_c
(36,971 posts)Live free AND die.