|
Do you support euthanasia? |
| Yes | 325
|
| No | 112
|
| Perhaps | 171
|
| What is your chief reason for support?
|
| Everyone should control their own body.
| 106
|
| They suffer too much.
| 19
|
| They will die anyway.
| 3
|
| They're a burden.
| 8
|
| They're a potential slippery slope of repression.
| 1
|
| Their drawn out suffering hurts their family and friends
| 4
|
| It's simply humane
| 13
|
| It allows an individual the ability to die with dignity, who may otherwise experience a prolonged and painfull death
| 74
|
| negative prima facie rights
| 8
|
| There are 6 billion people on the face of the earth. People can and should be allowed to choose to die.
| 9
|
| Not to overstay one's welcome
| 2
|
| It allows an individual the ability to die with dignity, who may otherwise face a prolonged and painful life.
| 22
|
| its not us making the decision
| 2
|
| We have ten-minute abortion clinics generating millions in revenue every year, in ten years we will be able to manufacture human body parts, i believe that death is...a right.
| 3
|
| one knows the extent of their ability to handle pain death should be a choice on the individual not the government
| 11
|
| It allows an individual to die with dignity, regardless of whether the prolonged pain is in life or death.
| 3
|
| A person should have the right to choose between living in chronic pain (when there is no cure, and the pain meds stop working, or are taken away), or ending the pain by suicide.
| 2
|
| all of the above
| 4
|
| What do you say to those who claim "Everyone should control their own body."?
|
| We accept government control already
| 4
|
| A society has responsibility for all its members. We are not just isolated individuals.
| 13
|
| We shouldn't take such a drastic action just because someone is feeling low at the time. They might well feel differently the next day.
| 28
|
| we should control our own bodies, but remember that ulitimity it is not our body to control, that it was given to us as gift from God
| 7
|
| God is in control of our bodies
| 3
|
| everybody should be in control of their own bodies and lives - I can only decide for me
| 1
|
| Surrendered here | 2 |
| What do you say to those who claim "They suffer too much."?
|
| Good palliative care is now available to alleviate pain
| 10
|
| We all have moments of despair, but these pass.
| 10
|
| Life is a process; not something to simply end or begin with the snap of ones fingers. This has less to do with religion and more to do with primary ethics.
| 20
|
| everyone suffers, look at others in the world that have suffered much more then you at even a younger span of their lives but are still willing to continue to survive
| 6
|
| I know, it is painful, and I believe that if you decide to, you should be able to end your life
| 1
|
| What do you say to those who claim "They will die anyway."?
|
| you don't know when your going to die
| 10
|
| Then they'll die. The dying process is a very important process a person needs to go through.
| 8
|
| Again God is the auther and maker of all life .He knows when it is time for us to go. We are not God and we should not play God.
| 20
|
| sure but from the day you started life you began to die, when you push yourself beyond you many be pushing for a place that you think has prepared for you but hasn't and this could be even more of a hell than you are suffering today.
| 3
|
| But don't enhance their death
| 1
|
| of course they will die - we all will die - well all our bodies will eventually die - no biggie - again, if you want to end it - then please do - it is ok - I cannot decide for you, I cannot judge you.
| 1
|
| Surrendered here | 2 |
| What do you say to those who claim "They're a burden."?
|
| but to someone else they maybe a blessing
| 16
|
| Then that is someone else speaking. That is not a "mercy death" but someone saying I want to kill someone because they are no longer active. Is it "ok" for us to kill the disabled because they're a "burden"?
| 11
|
| So are you, to someone else
| 7
|
| i don't see that you are a burden, it makes people take a look at their own valves and see what is important to them, and prehaps your condition scares them because of the valves they have taught their children. be responsible for the loved one they have been for you.
| 1
|
| yep, that can be true - and a learning experience - for me - you however, can choose any way you want to go.
| 1
|
| What do you say to those who claim "They're a potential slippery slope of repression."?
|
| why do you say that?
| 27
|
| If you don't want to live in pain, that's ok. But suicide is a sin
| 1
|
| yes, there is that nasty slippery slope - well, just do better - act better and do not mess up -
| 1
|
| Surrendered here | 2 |
| What do you say to those who claim "Their drawn out suffering hurts their family and friends"?
|
| What would you do if the positions were reversed?
| 6
|
| Then the benefit is to others not the victim.
| 3
|
| THIS A TRUE TEST OF THIER COMMITTMENT
| 6
|
| It makes them stronger for others who they may know who is put into their same situation
| 3
|
| have you not suffered through things in your life to satisfy them, have you not hurt and felt the pain so that they could be happy? is it not right that they understand thateveryone has pain and suffering but to care for a loved one should be satisfying, they need to learn comfort and peaceful valves mean much more at his time then at any other time in ones life.
| 3
|
| They should not be hoping for ways to kill themselves, but hoping for another day to see the faces of their loved ones.
| 1
|
| It does hurt but it's a learning experience and you can learn a lot about yourself throught the pain and grieving.
| 1
|
| What do you say to those who claim "It's simply humane"?
|
| Euthanasia is not humane. Euthanasia is murder.
| 16
|
| there is a reason for all that happens in our life and with death the same it happens in the way it was meant to happen for a reason to end a life not your choice to make and it is inhuman not human. things may be worse on the other side especially if you go beyond before your calling time has come.
| 3
|
| What do you say to those who claim "It allows an individual the ability to die with dignity, who may otherwise experience a prolonged and painfull death "?
|
| We are not God
| 5
|
| If there is any inherent dignity in death, it does not lie in such accidentals.
| 2
|
| dying by having a plastic bag put over your head is not dignified
| 3
|
| dignity is allowing a person to feel the love of their family and friends at times of need. and death is a natural part of the process, only human think that a naturaL DEATH IS NOT DIGNITIFIED WHEN ALLOW TO BE NATURAL now how dumb is that. natural is right death by murder is not.
| 2
|
| Knowing that someone dies by killing themselves because they had no "quality of life" is not really dying with dignity. What about where they go afterwards? Unless you're going to heaven, you're not dignified.
| 3
|
| Surrendered here | 2 |
| What do you say to those who claim "negative prima facie rights"?
|
| There is no right to die.
| 7
|
| There is not right to die however, there is an obligation to live until such time as deemed by God
| 2
|
| whta does this mean
| 2
|
| It is God who made us, and only HE has the right to decide who lives. That is why people come out of year long comas or survive terminal illness. It was not their time. Don't push it.
| 1
|
| What do you say to those who claim "There are 6 billion people on the face of the earth. People can and should be allowed to choose to die."?
|
| Everyone reaches low points, everyone one would try to kill themselves, except the ones who are too scared.
| 1
|
| so what if there are 6 billion people on the face of the earth...you're the ones claming it's all about quality not quantity...!!
| 4
|
| all life has valve, so find valve in those you love at any and all times
| 4
|
| WHERE DO YOU DRAW THE LINE? To people who are terminal? Who are in pain? Or who just have no quality of life. If euthanasia is used for anyone, we may well not have 6 billion people soon.
| 3
|
| What do you say to those who claim "Not to overstay one's welcome"?
|
| who's saying
| 3
|
| What kind of argument is that? Again, it is God's right to decide whether or not someone dies. He will choose the right time. He made you.
| 1
|
| What do you say to those who claim "It allows an individual the ability to die with dignity, who may otherwise face a prolonged and painful life."?
|
| Euthanasia does not allow you to die with dignity when it's means is to take your life away
| 1
|
| What do you say to those who claim "its not us making the decision"?
|
| What do you say to those who claim "We have ten-minute abortion clinics generating millions in revenue every year, in ten years we will be able to manufacture human body parts, i believe that death is...a right."?
|
| What do you say to those who claim "one knows the extent of their ability to handle pain death should be a choice on the individual not the government"?
|
| What do you say to those who claim "It allows an individual to die with dignity, regardless of whether the prolonged pain is in life or death."?
|
| What do you say to those who claim "A person should have the right to choose between living in chronic pain (when there is no cure, and the pain meds stop working, or are taken away), or ending the pain by suicide."?
|
| What do you say to those who claim "all of the above"?
|
| What is your chief reason for opposition?
|
| Doctors must protect life.
| 8
|
| Government must protect life.
| 4
|
| Risk of coercion
| 4
|
| Suffering is part of life
| 5
|
| Religious: all human life is precious
| 36
|
| People may be making mistakes
| 9
|
| We lose potential assets
| 2
|
| Ineffable
| 4
|
| medical science could come up with a cure after the patient has been killed.
| 2
|
| medical science could come up with a cure after the patient has been killed.
| 1
|
| there all many rerasons from the above choices plus we are morally responsible to care for those that care for us.
| 5
|
| great spiritual growth can occur at end of life - and with adequate palliation should be able to stay until...
| 1
|
| voluntary euthanasia is the start of a slippery slope that leads to all other kinds of possibilites
| 1
|
| What do you say to those who claim "Doctors must protect life."?
|
| Life is about quality of life not just quantity
| 88
|
| Doctor's must accept the patient's right to make their own decision
| 73
|
| I believe protecting life necessarily includes euthanasia
| 18
|
| doctors do what is in accordance with their position, however, this does not contrevene the patient's ability and right to choose what he/she wills.Aside, protecting life, is a broad term, it can be made to mean just about anything
| 38
|
| doctors are there to releive pain
| 9
|
| Leave me alone
| 4
|
| To put it very simply doctors are people technicians. I don't know. it's a toughie but i believe that's where it's going.
| 3
|
| doctors aren't the ones living in the pain, the patient is.
| 6
|
| Hogwash, a doctor is just as human as anyone else so where do they get more rights than any other human
| 3
|
| Surrendered here | 2 |
| What do you say to those who claim "Government must protect life."?
|
| As long as an individual isn't hurting someone else the government has no right to intervene
| 51
|
| Government isn't God
| 21
|
| We are endowed with the _right_ to life -- not the _responsibility_ of it.
| 27
|
| government has no right to intervene because the family knows better than the government, and taxpayers pay for it if we keep them on life support systems
| 9
|
| palliative care is euthanasia, and one of the primary functions of the government, as laid out in the constitution, is to uphold negative prima facie rights. This means that the right to non-interference is the preferable choice
| 15
|
| In response to the rebuttals: the issue here is not whether or not persons who choose to excercise their rights and participate in euthanasia are burdens. Moreover, this issue is not contingent upon activity or inactivity. All such decisions rest with the person choosing to do what he/she wills or desires and as such, does not rely on someone else speaking.
| 26
|
| the government often does mot practice what it preaches in regards to "protecting life" i.e death penalty,sending soldiers off to war etc.
| 11
|
| if the person is in pain it should be up to that person not the government it should not be allowed in cases that are not terminal
| 15
|
| When one can no longer give so that it benefits others, i,e,family.
| 1
|
| i've never heard anyone claim that
| 4
|
| it's not logical for the government to have one sturdy stance on a subject where the circumstances involved are so much different in every case.
| 4
|
| The individual has the right to decide if he wants his life protected. He might think it in his best interests that it is not.
| 3
|
| The government doesn't protect the living people in chronic pain, (because of the strict anti-drug laws, so why do they bother to protect that persons life, if that person is suffering?
| 4
|
| Governments are not motivated by integrity but by money and control
| 3
|
| "protecting life" is not a governmental function
| 3
|
| Surrendered here | 5 |
| What do you say to those who claim "Risk of coercion"?
|
| A process can be established to ensure that the decision is that of the individual
| 89
|
| We're talking about terminally ill people here, where's the risk?
| 30
|
| that is supposition and not an actual consequence, if it did, however happen it still does not interfere with negative prima facie rights, if it did, then it would be clear interference and thus, wrong
| 31
|
| Life has risk associated with it as well.
| 6
|
| People are already FORCED to live a life of physical chronic pain with no choice whatsoever, so what about that?
| 5
|
| coercion will always be a possibility within every life altering scenerio
| 4
|
| Surrendered here | 8 |
| What do you say to those who claim "Suffering is part of life"?
|
| Thats a choice that you can make but have no right to impose upon others
| 58
|
| Do those people refuse an aneasethic when they have a tooth pulled? I think not.
| 14
|
| I say they're right. What's they're point?
| 14
|
| I agree suffering is a part of life, hence you can not make any hard and fast rules, a persons physical, mental and spiritual health should all be taken into account and a discission should be based on all of these factors.
| 16
|
| that "suffering is part of life" is quite aside the point. Moreover, suffering in this sense is quite different from suffering at a terminal level. The main point is that, suffering or no, a person still has negative rights which usurp subjective opinions of the quality of life
| 11
|
| Again, in response, we are not discussing God here and even if you were to accept such a theory, the individual who chooses to take his/her life is only excersing what God, supposedly, supplied humanity with: free will.Moreover, assuming God's omnipredicate status, such actions would not be inconsistent with what he wills.
| 11
|
| Some pain is avoidable such as suffering from a terminal illness. People whould be able to choose ig they want to live with what illness might entail before reaching the fianal stages.
| 5
|
| We put animals out of their misery because it is inhumane to expect anyone or anything to endure horrendous pain and suffering at all waking moments.
| 13
|
| I would say: "Until you walk in my footsteps, and feel my pain, you have no idea of my level of suffering. You are not in a position to judge me. I'll bet your opinion would change if you lived a life of chronic physical pain.
| 9
|
| if god was in control of our bodiies, there would be no fat people.
| 1
|
| Suffering is a choice: that's why pain killers were created
| 3
|
| Surrendered here | 1 |
| What do you say to those who claim "Religious: all human life is precious"?
|
| All human life is precious but quality of life is at least as precious as quantity
| 33
|
| The person whose life is it is the only one who knows when they have had enough.
| 21
|
| Your religion is not necessarily that of your neighbor, and he is not bound by its tenets.
| 23
|
| Why human life particularly precious in the wider scheme of things?
| 6
|
| I'm not religious.
| 6
|
| it is precious, but it is far more than the actual process of growing old.
| 2
|
| that is a subjective call, religion itself is not enough justification to prohibit humanity's right to chose what they wish. Moreover, this is still aside the point, as to whether or not people should actually be prohibitted from doing what they will or decide.
| 19
|
| THAT IS AN 'EXCLUSIVE' VIEW. HITLER TRIED TO IMPOSE HIS BELIEFS ON OTHERS, TOO.
| 12
|
| Not everyone follows the same religion... it's up to the patient whether what he/she wishes to do goes hand in hand with his/her religion
| 9
|
| i agree, which is why we should have the right not to watste away for years not being able to take in joy or comfert in our surroundings and knowing only pain.
| 2
|
| Life is precious, to those who do not have to suffer.
| 4
|
| Only with privacy can it be considered precious
| 2
|
| Surrendered here | 2 |
| What do you say to those who claim "People may be making mistakes"?
|
| So, wat's wrong with that
| 10
|
| How else will we learn?
| 5
|
| They're terminal!
| 9
|
| They may, but they may not.
| 10
|
| Maybe there could be some kind of evaluation and/or waiting period for the person to decide if she really wants that. Also, death is big decision that not many people take lightly. What's the likelihood someone could make the WRONG decision for himself?
| 30
|
| they can, again this is why i feel the introduction of a living will is so vital so all the facts are considered and everyones' feelings explored.
| 14
|
| Again, it is their right, to do what they will, this a deontological principle, mistakes or no.
| 19
|
| In responce, yet again, explain exactly how euthanasia is murder.
| 6
|
| Making mistakes is what life is about. If, after a throughout process a patient decides to die, but in the final moment regrets his decision, then its driven by fear, not by a concious decision made earlier. The only reason it maybe a mistake is, if the illness was just about to be cured. Life is a chance.
| 9
|
| It's that person's life, if they're wrong, too bad. They should have thought about it before. Very rarely can you take back such large decisions, even when you are living.
| 3
|
| People are making mistakes right now, by forcing others to live in chronic pain, so what's the difference?
| 4
|
| There is no perfect decision
| 1
|
| There is no right or wrong to making mistakes. That is part of being human.
| 4
|
| Surrendered here | 2 |
| What do you say to those who claim "We lose potential assets"?
|
| They shouldn't lose anything.
| 12
|
| ????
| 20
|
| Humans are so numerous that a tiny minority of them do not significantly affect society
| 7
|
| This is still supposition; it is too speculative
| 13
|
| one man can do another mans job
| 2
|
| so what, too bad, it's not for you to decide
| 12
|
| define assets
| 8
|
| Enforcing someones else will is slavery.
| 9
|
|
| 1
|
| Society's perceived entitlement to "potential assets" do not outweigh an individual's right for self determination.
| 10
|
| This is a terminally ill asset we are discussing! What was to be gained for society would have already taken place.
| 7
|
| what assets would such people have left? besides someone who doesn't want to be part of this world would not likely be willing to contribute much.
| 4
|
| You obviously have lived a pain free & easy life, in order to be ignorant enough to make such a statement. You are selfish, greedy, and you seem to only care about getting ahead in life.
| 5
|
| life is about being not assets
| 4
|
| Greed has set in.
| 2
|
| Surrendered here | 2 |
| What do you say to those who claim "Ineffable"?
|
| still aside the point, an appeal to intuition is the very thing we want to avoid,in arguing, as maintained by the proper procedures
| 39
|
| my right to decide
| 35
|
| Yes, life is sacred but death is also sacred. This whole debate is from a Christian point of view: what of the millions whose God/Higher Power has given them the right to choose?What about the sacredness of their beliefs?
| 22
|
| Surrendered here | 5 |
| What do you say to those who claim "medical science could come up with a cure after the patient has been killed."?
|
| this is, again, far too speculative and still aside the point. The primary principle at stake here is whether humanity has the right, as individuals, to choose what they will or desire with themselves. This does not necessarily mean we are isolated.
| 50
|
| In response, whether or not we do accept government control yet again remains aside the point as to the principle of negative prima facie rights upheld by the constitution. Moreover, there is no empirical proof of obligation and it does not follow that from negative rights stem isolation.
| 7
|
| It's still an individual decision; and how soon is medical science going to come up with a cure for good old fashioned old age-we're all going to die sometime. That's the reality of life. Get used to it. And yes, we all have moments of despair that pass-but how many of us reading this is actually suffering the pains that sometime accompany certain deaths.
| 12
|
| It's still an individual decision; and how soon is medical science going to come up with a cure for good old fashioned old age-we're all going to die sometime. That's the reality of life. Get used to it. And yes, we all have moments of despair that pass-but how many of us reading this is actually suffering the pains that sometime accompany certain deaths.
| 9
|
|
| 1
|
| It is not likely that in the time my loved one has left live as it is that there will be a cure for failing kidneys, failing heart, and a crushed spine causing incomprehensible pain.
| 5
|
| Then I would be extremely happy for all the other people with the same illness/injury who will not have to go through assisted suicide.
| 6
|
| Oh well. They got tired of waiting!
| 4
|
| Cure war!
| 2
|
| Surrendered here | 1 |
| What do you say to those who claim "medical science could come up with a cure after the patient has been killed."?
|
| beside the point
| 27
|
| It didn't help polio victims
| 8
|
| We are all going to die sometime. Let us make an informed decision about our own time to leave this world.
| 24
|
| Again, the Christian point of view! For some of us life on this earth is not the be all end all. My God is in me & I with Him no matter where or when.I would be happy for those who follow.
| 6
|
| Live and learn, die and learn.
| 6
|
| Why isn't the word "would" used instead of "could"
| 2
|
| Surrendered here | 1 |
| What do you say to those who claim "there all many rerasons from the above choices plus we are morally responsible to care for those that care for us."?
|
|
| 12
|
| We are morally responsible for those that care for us; however, if you truely care/love someone do you lock them in a cage and allow them to be tortured for the sake of your own selfishness?
| 15
|
| Says who we're morally responsible?
| 3
|
| No, you think you are "morally responsible" to CONTROL others if you don't happen to agree with them.
| 7
|
| We are more morally responsible to allow them the choice.
| 6
|
| Your argument is incoherent.
| 2
|
| In some situations, "care" could involve ending someone's life of pain.
| 1
|
| Surrendered here | 3 |
| What do you say to those who claim "great spiritual growth can occur at end of life - and with adequate palliation should be able to stay until..."?
|
| Great spiritual growth can occur with the choice to end one's life
| 27
|
| What do you say to those who claim "voluntary euthanasia is the start of a slippery slope that leads to all other kinds of possibilites"?
|
| the possibility will also be there that if we don't let euthanasia be accepted that many people will either suffer or die by suicide
| 20
|
| Your claim is vague and nonspecific.
| 5
|
| Surrendered here | 3 |
