The Right to Die

[LennG]

 In NYC this past week, much attention has gone to a story about a young woman who has terminal brain cancer and wants to die. She has had a series of strokes and seizures which have left her paralyzed and she doesn't want to suffer anymore and requested the doctors to 'pull the plug' and let her die.
 But, her deeply religious parents say NO. They petitioned the NY courts not to allow that to happen. At first the courts ruled in their favor, but now, a higher court has overturned that decision and said if the woman wants to have the plug pulled she can.

http://vitals.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/10/05/14246982-opinion-daughter-has-right-to-die-against-parents-wishes?lite&ocid=msnhp

So what's your say. Does a person have the right to die when they want? Her parents said it amounts to suicide, is that so?? I understand there are several sides to this, both religious and other, but with no assistance, like from a Jack Kevorkian, does a person have the right to end their live, or does the hospital, the doctors, even her parents have a right to say she is not in the right mental frame, from medication, and her illness to think she is thinking straight, and try and keep her alive?

From what I understand, the woman may have changed her mind, but the problem is still there, and not just for this case.

People make living wills that they do not want to be kept alive in a vegetation type state, but here, the person is alive and thinking and wants to die. Does she have that right?

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[giantsguy]

I believe every case is different and so are the circumstances.  In this case it seems to me this woman will never lead the life she wants.  If she changes her mind, that's her choice.  If not, IMO, she has the right to say whether or not she wants to live.  No one else can feel her pain or suffering.  I often think in cases such as this, other people involved tend to want a person to stay alive more to avoid their suffering rather than the suffering of the person who is sick.  I understand parents wanting their child to live, but at what cost to the person who is suffering?  I think the 'state' gets involved in things they shouldn't.  No one on that bench or any of the lawmakers are suffering this persons pain.

[Grime Time]

I absolutely believe a person has that right but like GG said its circumstantial.  To live like that is not really living and yes of course they're are other cases were people fought till the end and were inspirational.  In this case she wants to go. She should be able to.  She just can't do it herself.  So I can see the red tape of assisting but I feel everyone should be able to choose their own death if they cover all bases.

[weeze]

I'm with grime time completely on this one. the patient in questions problem is she cant get out of the damn hospital to take care of it herself.
 AND as usual , I can tell you whose business it isn't and that's the governments. maybe you cont remember the terry schiavo case here in Florida with a brain dead individual. had to call a emergency seesion of the senate to forbid the family from pulling the plug.
 to me that's disgusting, bunch of uninvolved politicians ticking their noses into peoples private lives. they do it more and more every day.

[LennG]

 I agree. Now it seems that the young lady has communicated with her attorney that she wants to stay alive.

Her parents thought that pulling the plug amounts to suicide and since that is forbidden in their religion, felt she would not be able to get into heaven. Yes, maybe their beliefs are good for them, but what about their daughter's wishes, and her suffering.
 maybe the young lady finally bent to the wishes of her parents, or she decided to fight as long as she can, but overall, if a person wants to end their life in cases like this, she should be allowed to.

[slg11]

To me, quality of life is the big issue. Face it were all going to die, it's just a matter when. Just because you are breathing doesn't mean you are living. I,for one would not choose to live in constant agony and pain, wearing diapers and having somebody wipe my tush. Oregon has a different law on the subject but I don't remember the exact circumstances. The right to die debate is never going to go away. Personally, If I had a choice, I would like to cash in my chips the way Edward G. Robinson did in "Soylent Green" minus the after parts of the body being thrown in the vat.

[giantsguy]

Well, we may get a good idea on how an entire state feels about it.  Apparently this very question will be on the ballot in Massachusetts.

[LennG]

 That is a good thing George, but, for the life of me, I do not understand why it has to be any sort of government issue?

 I can understand people get upset and want to end their lives. People like that need psychiatric help and usually they turn out fine. But in health issues, if a person receives a death sentence diagnosis and is suffering and doesn't want to spend whatever life they have left as a vegetable and a monetary hardship on those they love, why should anyone tell them they just do not have that right to put an end to their misery. It should be between them and whomever God they listen to.

[gregf]

When my dad had cancer, there was a point that he was wasting away and it was clear there was no hope to recover.  He suffered in pain and discomfort. He signed a DNR, but his Catholic rerligion also prevented him from taking any proactive steps. In the end, it was up to my step mother to constantly press the morphine button. This finally overwhelmed his heart and brought him peace. If the mental state is clear, there should be a more human way to go out when the quality of life is diminished so greatly and recovery out of reach.