Euthanizing the severely disabled?

[Norsefire]

At the surface, it sounds like a cruel and inhuman and disgusting suggestion. I myself am not sure if it would be the right thing to do.

However, I also pity people who have severe mental disabilities, and often feel that they would suffer less if they were euthanized. I think sanity is an extremely valuable thing to have, and it is unfortunate that some do not have it. Not to mention some people who severe mental disabilities not only are likely "suffering", but they can be emotionally and economically draining on those who must care for them.

Do you think people who are severely disabled should be euthanized? With respects, of course, and a proper burial afterwards. It would be painless and humane.

 

[visceral_instinct]

If I ended up with certain conditions, like quadriplegia, and indeed severe brain damage, I would definitely rather be painlessly destroyed.

 

[visceral_instinct]

I voted: No, but we should allow them the right to assisted suicide

 

[Norsefire]

I voted: No, but we should allow them the right to assisted suicide

What about when they are mentally unfit to make that decision? Do you think their guardians should be able to make that decision?

 

[Orleander]

What about when they are mentally unfit to make that decision? Do you think their guardians should be able to make that decision?

Unfit? The only unfit I know of is brain dead. What was done to Terri Schiavo was an abomination. They starved her to death.

I have a real hard time with mercy killings. There are parents who have killed their disabled suffering children, and while I feel bad for them...well, I think its wrong. But then I have healthy children so I can't say much. I might do teh same in their shoes.

I have no problem with assisted suicide if they are assisted by a trained professional. They have that in Denmark don't they?

 

[Norsefire]

Unfit? The only unfit I know of is brain dead. What was done to Terri Schiavo was an abomination. They starved her to death.

Euthanasia would be quick and painless.

"Unfit" as in they don't understand; people who are mentally retarded (I hate using that word, but that is what it is) are unable to realize the magnitude of the decision, or even understand what it is.

I have a real hard time with mercy killings. There are parents who have killed their disabled suffering children, and while I feel bad for them...well, I think its wrong. But then I have healthy children so I can't say much. I might do teh same in their shoes.

I think it's more wrong to let them live and suffer though

 

[visceral_instinct]

What about when they are mentally unfit to make that decision? Do you think their guardians should be able to make that decision?

How do you decide whether their lives are worth living??

 

[Simon Anders]

All males are severely disabled, moreso when they are Syrian Semites with delusions of grandeur.

I object to the implication that we should euthanize severely disabled, Syrian Semites with delusions of grandeur. In fact I am shocked you would take such a stand, however much you are taking it for sympathetic reasons.

 

[Norsefire]

How do you decide whether their lives are worth living??

If they are severely mentally impaired and require constant maintenance, etc.

 

[visceral_instinct]

but how do you know they are not enjoying their life in spite of that?

 

[Norsefire]

but how do you know they are not enjoying their life in spite of that?

I'd say that's not probable. Likely, they won't know what enjoyment is anyway.

 

[Simon Anders]

I'd say that's not probable. Likely, they won't know what enjoyment is anyway.

Well, if the issue is 'not enjoying life' there is no reason to limit it to just 'disabled' people. Anyone who has been depressed for a long time. And how about people who reduce the enjoyment of the lives of others?

 

[Norsefire]

Well, if the issue is 'not enjoying life' there is no reason to limit it to just 'disabled' people. Anyone who has been depressed for a long time.

However other people can make the decision for themselves and realize what they are doing. People with severe mental disorders would not only be suffering but not realize what is going on.

And how about people who reduce the enjoyment of the lives of others?

If you mean criminals, they are sentenced and executed.

 

[Asguard]

on one hand a good question on the other compleatly unethical.

For instance what do you concider to be a server disability?
Blindness?
deefness?
paraplegic?
would you ethanse steven hawkings?

then we look at the other end of the spectrum at things like server MS and alzimers. well alot of these pts are on DNR's already

 

[Orleander]

....would you euthanize steven hawkings?...

good example. :thumbsup:
Norse, would you kill a genius?

 

[Simon Anders]

However other people can make the decision for themselves and realize what they are doing. People with severe mental disorders would not only be suffering but not realize what is going on.

So you are saying that we should let people who are suffering immensely go on living even if they cannot override the survival instinct.

also I know several developmentally disabled people and they seem no more or less happy then the average person. In fact they seem to have less ways to torture themselves. For example not one of the ones I know worries about their weight. They take direct pleasure in many things that 'normal' people are always distracted from with all their worries. Not that they don't have worries also. It just seems like they can let those go at the drop of a hat.

My guess is that you are making assumptions about people you really know very little about.

If you mean criminals, they are sentenced and executed.

I do not mean criminals. There are plenty of people who, by being judgmental, for example, can ruin just about anything.

 

[S.A.M.]

Not to be persnickety, but isn't it Stephen Hawking?

 

[Orleander]

Ok, LOL, if that's not being persnickety <giggle> what is?

 

[Norsefire]

good example. :thumbsup:
Norse, would you kill a genius?

Stephen Hawkings has a physical disability; he is not suffering, however, mentally and is competent.

So you are saying that we should let people who are suffering immensely go on living even if they cannot override the survival instinct.

also I know several developmentally disabled people and they seem no more or less happy then the average person. In fact they seem to have less ways to torture themselves. For example not one of the ones I know worries about their weight. They take direct pleasure in many things that 'normal' people are always distracted from with all their worries. Not that they don't have worries also. It just seems like they can let those go at the drop of a hat.

Nonetheless it isn't fair for them and it is a huge strain on the people who have to care for them.

 

[Simon Anders]

Nonetheless it isn't fair for them and it is a huge strain on the people who have to care for them.

Most of whom would put their life on the line to stop you from killing their family members.