Kevorkian Released from Prison

[AFPheonix]

Well from the FAQ on Oregon's Death With Dignity Act:
Q: Can a patient's family members request participation in the Act on behalf of the patient (for example, in cases where the patient is comatose)?

A: No. The law requires that the patient ask to participate voluntarily on his or her own behalf.

So neither of your scenarios would happen in this state, according to this question.
Also, the doctor involved must determine whether the patient has the ability to ask to participate and understand fully what they are asking for.
http://egov.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/pas/faqs.shtml



I thought it was interesting that there's a question in there about whether this is covered under insurance. I thought that was pretty funny in a macabre sort of way...

[Rubystars]

Euthanasia is in its infancy. Maybe one day the answer to that question will be 'yes'. There will be all these sob stories brought out by parents of deformed kids, kids of elderly and difficult to care for parents, goverenment agencies who wish to give 'dignity' to mentally ill people by killing them, etc.

I'm afraid to grow old

[AFPheonix]

Euthanasia is in its infancy in this country and culture, perhaps. Across the world and the centuries it's been used quite a bit.

Perhaps someday the answer will be yes, most likely it will continue to be no. As for being afraid to grow old, well, I won't worry about the inevitable.

[rahmota]

I'll agree in america Euthanasia is still not considered a viable alternative or option. I sincerely doubt it ever will be and honestly am torn on this one. I can see where in some cases it might be a mercy. I can see in other cases where shallow cold people would just look at the money factor and decide a 2.50 pack of poison or 1.50 bullet would be cheaper than 20grand a year in healthcare costs or the otherwise "burden" of caring for someone.

This is more of a social issue in that society has changed to where the family does not care about each other as strongly and as deeply as they used to. Maybe I was raised in the old ways but I have always believed that family takes care of family no matter what. This is just plain normal to me and one of the reasons why we have not had a family member die in a nursing home as we do not see it as a burden but an honor to take care of our own.

In many other socities throughout history though euthanasia was a sometimes necessary thing as their society did not have the resources available to take care of the weak , the invalid and the elderly. In the modern world we should be able to figure out some way of resolving it so that each person can choose their own path to the end. With honor and dignity.

I like the Oregon law. That would benice to see some sort of national program put into place like it as from what I see scanning the FAQ it seems to be pretty thought out and reasonable. A good role model for the rest of the country. And yeah it does seem a bit macbrely funny to ask if its covered under insurance.

And never be afraid to grow old. For as long as we continue to live then we dont start to die.