Euthanasea or Mercy Killing?

I live in the Netherlands, one of the few countries where Euthanasia SOMETIMES is legal. We have a law about it, in which are a lot of if's, but's, and conditions laid down... Still most of the rest of the world thinks of us as a bunch of butchers who slaughter anyone who is is a burden - be it old people, mentally disabled, vegetablized, whatever... Not that any of those opinion makers ever read a bit of the law, naturally... Having said that, I am for euthanasia, if it is someone's last will and desire, written down when that someone was still in his/her full mind. It is not playing god, like so many people object. It is better than having people so desperate that they are trying to kill themselves in a very clumsy and painful way. The family of the individual has no say in it, here in the Netherlands, except when someone does not have a written consent and is at a life machine for months and months etc. But this discussion is about the ethical side, right? I think it is more ethical to help someone calmly towards his end, than to "give" him an awful struggle of life. I have seen both ways, as a close relative, and I prefer the calm way for my beloved ones - and myself. And don't forget, there is also the so-called passive euthanasia. When a person is terminal ill, on morphine to kill the pain, and the dose of morphine is quietly bigger and bigger, what do you call that? Here we call that passive euthanasia, of which we condone, no matter what religion. Why have people suffer for three more days or so, dying in agony? What religion or human person could possibly demand that??

It all depends on the situation, the circumstances that the patient and his/her family have to face, esepcially in coutries that don't have state supported health care. If a person is a vegetable, and the family has to spend tons of money to keep him/her alive, then I think it is better to end that life. Personally I am against anyone taking any or neding any life.

If your time is nearly over and you have a terminal illness why prolong the suffering. I can see no reason to keep anyone alive that wants to call it a day. Animals eat each other every day and politicians send armed forces to kill because of thier policies so what's the difference?

In my country we don't let animals suffer unecessarily. If they cannot be treated or cured, and their pain is too great, we take pity on them and put them out of their misery. I figure humans deserve no less.

It is the sole choice of the patient. Here in The U.S. we can set up a living will so if we want to die naturally ,and not be put on life support, you can. That takes the choice away from spouses, family members and doctors.I would hope people would tell their love ones their beliefs and wishes before they become ill.I don't call euthanasea murder or a "mercy killing". It must be up to the person.

You state that it's not a matter of being legal or illegal, well it's equally not a matter of religion either, so let's take away everything about it being "in God's hands." If we look at this objectively, why should we keep people around who are suffering if they don't want to be kept alive, especially if they are going to die soon anyway? This is very selfish of friends and family members to try to tell someone that they cannot die the way they want to die instead of having to rot away in a hospital bed.

Are we talking about PEOPLE or PETS? If we're talking about people... I think it's not ok at all! If we're talking about pets.. I think it's not ok. But there are some circumstances where it might be best. Kidney failure, or epalepsy. There arn't pet medicines like there are for people. So they'd have to live with it a little more.

I personally believe in this. I would not want to live as a burden to others, laying in a bed without any sort of quality of life. I would not want to see anyone I loved go through such torture themselves. In the animal world such mercy killings are normal. If an animal is too sick to go on or becomes a burden upon others they do kill it or leave it for predators to kill for them. They realize that it is better. I know for myself I would not let a pet suffer with pain, indignity or lack of life so why would I let a human suffer in such a way as that?

I would like to think that if I was in a vegetable state that was ireversible someone would put me out of my misery. I do not believe in prolonging life if the person does not have a quality of life. If someone has an incurable disease and they are going down hill, can't function, don't know who they are or where they are, then I would say yes. Let them die with dignity. Who are we to say that the person should stay alive because of us. With some terminal illnesses you just become a shell, that is so unfair to the person that is ill. Think of the ill person and not of oneself.

I have my own views on the subject and I started a discussion on the very same topic yesterday. From a personal point of view I would rather have the option of ending my life, than being a burdon on my family. I'm happy and healthy now, but if ever I became reliant on someone else, or a machine, god forbid, to keep me alive then I would like to have the option. It's good to discuss interesting topics, even though our views may differ.

I do believe in mercy killings.But this should come only in dire situations,when the person is suffering and is really going through a hard time.I disagree when people say that he is a vegetable and it costs a lot to take care of him and thats why we have to kill him.thats merciless.A lot of though and research should go through before it is actually performed.

I think mercy killing is up to each individual circumstance. I mean, if someone was dying of a painful incurable disease and wished not to suffer any longer, should have a decision to live or die sooner or later. But as for a religious belief I am not sure about dying for one another. I think we all need to have a valid reason to not want to prolong our lives.

Euthanasea is a very difficult topic, many people feel very apssionate both fo rand agasint it. I am one of those people that is not on the fence, though I valuse the sanctity of human life, I also value having a quality of life. I know that if I was confined to a bed not able to feed myself, and spent 23 of 24 hours of my day in undescribable pain that I would seek to end my own suffering. This is not a cowardess act when you know you will never recover, i would want to spare my family the pain of watching me slip away, or writhing in pain. I think for myself that the meciful act would be to let me go, and being merciless would be forcing me to continue on in such pain. There will never be a clear cut answer in this kind of a topic because it evokes such emotion but i think the more you talk about it the more you come to undrstand and even sympathise with ones decison.

It all depends on the situation & on the severity of the infection or the case, but mostly at times the doctors recommend it or may be the person themselves recommend it cauz they can't go through such a pain...but watever it is...I do agree that life should not be ended before time!!!!!!!

We don't have the right to end one's life. God only has the power to do this. We are just humans, we can't overpower him.

I think it is really up to the people or the family member to decide. Sometimes its really hard to say something if you've never been there in that situation because both have good and bad sides. First we are not allowed to end anyones life but at the same time imagine the expenses that you will occur for sustaining the life wherein in the end nothing good will happen.

I think it should be up to the individual as to whether or not they should be allowed to end their life if they are suffering. Afterall, we take pity on suffering animals and allow them to be put to sleep, so why shouldn't humans be allowed to die in dignity if it is their own choice to do so? On the other hand, I can understand why our government doesn't want to legalise it, as I believe that there are people in this world who would take advantage of it and use it for their own gain.

I believe if you are suffering from a terminal illness that we should have the right to end our lives. If there is no hope of recovery, why not. Afterall if our pets are very sick, we can put them out of their misery, why not the same for us?

I think machinery and medicines pull life loger, so mercy killing is not "ending life BEFORE time"!! I think anyone in a desperate situation should choose between keep living or stop!!