Should it be illegal to help a terminally-ill person die?

Thank you and so have I. It's nice to have something that loves you so much and I've said goodbye to so many only because I've had so many. I love my current dog so much even if he is an oversized baby and because I raised him without help like my last pets I think my bond with him is stronger. I really am his mother and since losing a cat that was like my daughter (a malnurished, pregnant stray) still hurts I can't imagine losing him. I think we were given certain animals for a reason and even though saying goodbye is hard I won't deny an animal a loving home out of fear of losing them. And I hope that you will continue to make animals' lives different as well :)

I'll have pets for as long as I am able to care for them properly. They are as much our best friends as we are theirs. The bonds we forge with our pets last our lifetime, not theirs, once they are gone we carry our memory of them with us the rest of our lives.

I'm very sorry for the loss of your beloved pet; my husband and I have been through that :(

Your story made me cry, but it is exactly what I said, only not in so many words. You were being compassionate and you loved enough to let her go. I know it was a painful decision, but bless you for doing what was best for her.

I've watched people suffer and suffer on the road to the end. Its barbaric. People should have the right to die when they are ready, its not suicide, It is an alleviation of pain and allowing a person to cross over in peace. Death would be less traumatic for the family if it doesn't include the suffering.

I meant to pick "No". We should help them, but only if it's what the patient really wants.

This is quite a question, and we all want to demonstrate as much compassion as possible, especially in doing our best to care for others. I only answered yes because the line would then be drawn on more and more questionable cases, in which the diagnosis may also be questionable. I think that at some point it becomes too subjective.

very true Yogi. Once you break through a given line, the redrawing of that line further away will always be subjective and fraught with danger. The "stand your ground" law in Florida proved that for us over the recent past.

Here is Zumurgy's law:

"Once you open a can of worms, the only way to re-can them is to use a larger can". *cheers*

They had a really good debate on this topic on Dr. Oz. It really was important to his terminally ill guess to not be burdens on their families and to be able to die with dignity on their own terms.

They're going to die anyway, why not help make their passing peaceful?

not if the ill person wants it and is mentally competent to desire it and the person's doctor agrees ...

What are you referring to Kevorkian killings or Hospice comfort care.

I am sure paul ryan is all for this

that would be MURDER...

We do the right thing for our beloved pets. Why do less for our other loved ones.

It's hard to say... But really...if they are suffering thru hell...I say let them go...for their own peaceful end ... But this is a tough question.

Terminal Illness is not the only criteria that should be used. There must also be enough untreatable pain or discomfort that so reduces quality of life to justify such an extreme measure. Add the pain or discomfort criteria and I'd say it's OK for an assisted suicide.

Actually, I'd say if a person has permanent untreatable pain or discomfort that lowers quality of life to such a miserable point as to be not worth living they are entitled to make a suicide decision, notwithstanding any terminal illness. Living a 100 years in miserable pain is just not OK. And if the only treatment is drugging you into unconsciousness that isn't OK either.

Assisted suicide should be legal. It is legal in Oregon I believe and as far as I know there are no cases of the kids bumping off parents for their inheritance.

I believe yes, but... I have a dear friend of mine who is terminal right now and she asks me for advice, guidance, etc, and has talked of ending her life frequently and I find it frightening. I am not afraid of death, and neither is she, but still, I absolutely hate being asked my opinions on this, and just wish it was not this way. But, it is, reality is here and she finds great comfort in being able to ask me and share with me. So, I try and be as strong for her as I can, and be very careful exactly what words I use. A tremendous responsibility. I love her and will miss her deeply when she passes to the other side, but this is an experience I am having a difficult time finding the positive of. But I do know it is there, this is a learning experience for both our souls. But my human self can not handle it as well as I wish I could.

I'm going to be honest. That's a tough question. I'm not sure I personally could do that for anyone, even a relative. I have done palliative care before, and it's not fun. I know that Dr. Jack Kevorkian was a hero to many people, and I've always been a supportwe of death with dignity.

If you have ever spent time with someone who is dying you would see the pain they go through and it is no way to live

I believe that people who are terminally ill and suffering or ill with all quality of life left then they should be allowed peace. Choosing to lend your life would be a difficult decision but if they are ready to go they should be allowed to die with dignity.

No

Mixing religion and law rarely works. That's why the Constitution is NOT a "Christian" document. The 'right-to-contract' is upheld in the 1906 "Hale vs Henkel".

If that is what they want then there should be no problem.

BUT ISENT IT ALREADY I MEAN THERE ARE ALOT OF PRO-LIFE PEOPLE OUT THERE

I don't honestly know or not unless they want you to I suspose.

i dont see any reason to make anyone suffer

This is one of the things I don't get many of the same people who are OK with abortion being legal are against assisted suicide. When the person is actually able to make the choice to commit suicide and is asking for an end to thier pain and misery.
This should be a personal choice and the law should stay out of making personel choices for people when the result will only affect them.

If the person is of sound mind and aware of their actions, they should be allowed to do what they must to die with dignity

If that is what they choose. Now would I help them do it? No

It is illegal to do this btw, but in my opinion no. Some people are going to die, even on the best medications. Some of these people are in serve pain 24/7 if they are in the right might and choose they want to end there life pain free then they should be able to! I would NEVER want to be in so much pain until the point where I die. I would want to go peacefully, those terminally I'll patients could be in the hospitial for months even years dealing with that pain!

It's God's decision when life begins and ends

I bet you'd be saying that when your terminally ill and in more pain than being hit by a car over and over again.

God defense is useless here.
We were given freedom of thought, which includes decisions making by "God".
Therefor a person may make this decision for themselves. If God truly didn't want one to die, then they simply wouldn't, no matter if they try to or not.

Nicely said.

And does everyone in the world share your beliefs/ No, they don't. What if they're agnostic, or atheist? What then? How do you presume your beliefs speak for everyone?

We do it to our animals to be compassionate, why not a human life? Time does not equate to quality. I would rather end the suffering I impose on loved ones and on myself rather than stay alive just for the sake of being biologically alive.

I would like to choose how and when especially if I'm terminally ill.