NationStates: Dominion of Caramida

[caramida]

Cancer Sufferer Demands Euthanasia Bill
The Issue:

Dorothy Terwilliger lies immobilized in a hospital bed, unable to move. She has end-stage cancer, and wishes to end her struggle against death. However, laws prevent her doctors from obeying her wishes.

The Debate:

1. Dorothy and her family are campaigning for a "Dying with Dignity" bill, to change this situation. She implores the government to legalize euthanasia.
2. "I understand this is a very difficult time for these people," says freelance medical writer Buy Wall. "But the solution is not to let our medical system slide down the slippery slope of killing people in pain. We must cure, not kill. This is not the right time for euthanasia."
3. "I agree, but go further: there is never a right time for euthanasia," says Bishop Roger Falopian. "The lives we lead are given to us by the grace of God, and he decides when they end. It is not for us to question God's divine purpose, no matter how odd or screwed-up it may seem."

The Government Position:
The government has yet to formalize a position on this issue.

My thoughts:
While on one hand, I like the idea of reduced suffering, I'm not certain that I want to place the power of ending life in the hands of physicians. Were this an assisted suicied debate, it would be much easier to support. As it is, I'm leaning toward either 'not the time right now', or just dismissing the issue. Of course, this leaves Dorothy to suffer. As for the Bishop's position, I don't want religion involved with government, for so very many reasons.

What do y'all think?

Comments

[sylphslider.livejournal.com]

This is an assisted suicide debate; Dorothy is asking for the bill.

Issue #2 is illogical. It's based on the slippery-slope argument and as such is unsound. Your options are #1 and #3.

If you go with #3, you're going to have some interesting repercussions since it's all religious.

It's time to ask the question - WWBD? :)

[caramida.livejournal.com]

Merriam-Webster defines euthanasia as the act or practice of killing or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured individuals (as persons or domestic animals) in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy.

In this case, M. Terwilliger is asking for the law, but a law allowing euthanasia seems distinct to me from allowing people to assist one in taking one's own life. In euthanasia, the definition of 'mercy' is up to the person committing the act.

If M. Terwilliger were to ask for protection from prosecution of those who assisted her in preparing the means for her to take her own life, I wouldn't hesitate to sign it into law. To my mind, euthanasia is a horse of a different color.