akiyo  +  55772 Wed, 17 Nov 04 06:43 AM Hi all. Ever get that questionnable feeling about death and suffering that you normally don't get? Well, I certainly did. It kind of just struck me as a question but I really wondered about the seriousness of old age and suffering that follows it. It further got me thinking about whether death should be used as a remedy to end incurable condition or terminal illness. So, what do you think? Should death be used to end continual suffering? akiyo Joined on Tue, Nov 16 2004 australia New Member 16 the reward of pain is experience.

	Henrietta  +  60403 Thu, 09 Dec 04 12:12 PM It really depends on the situation. Almost two years ago, a friend of mine was stricken with acute encephalitis. Basically it's brain inflammation which is caused by a virus. There are different kinds of virus that cause it, but unfortunately, she was hit with the most dangerous kind, which may be fatal in as many as half of those who get infected. It happened very suddenly, one day she was fine, and the next she was unconscious in the hospital ITU (Intensive Therapy Unit) with serious brain damage. Everyone knew that it would have taken a miracle to save her, and even if they managed to, she'd have been a vegetable for the rest of her life. After a few days of waiting in hope for some kind of miracle, her parents decided that it was best to just switch off the life support machines and let her die. I can't say I disagree with it, I strongly believe that they made the right decision. Henrietta Joined on Mon, Aug 30 2004 Malta Full Member 447 I took the liberty of fertilising your caviar

	maj  +  60407 Thu, 09 Dec 04 12:26 PM I am totally in favour when as you pointed out some people are like vegetables or at a terminal phase of an illness. maj Joined on Mon, Mar 31 2003 Senior Member 4,756

	Fleogan  +  60543 Thu, 09 Dec 04 10:54 PM I think voluntary euthanasia should be the right of the individual, provided they are sound of mind at the time. If I was in an accident that I couldn't recover from, and was destined to lie in a hospital bed for the rest of my life, yes I would want to end it. The problem arises when someone has to "pull the plug" or administer the poison - essentially assisted suicide. Also bear in mind, there have been cases when someone suffering from a terminal illness was kept on life support for years, and a cure has become available. What if they had ended their life...? The part I am undecided on is involuntary euthanasia. There will always be connotations of murder, even if it is close family making the decision. Who has the right to decide for them? I can never make my mind up on this one. Fleogan Joined on Thu, Dec 9 2004 UK New Member 15

	Henrietta  +  60623 Fri, 10 Dec 04 09:15 AM Actually, in my friend's case, I'm not even sure if it was euthanasia after all. She was brain dead when they pulled the plug, so they really couldn't have saved her. It wasn't a matter of there being a cure or not, because her brain was completely gone. Would that still be considered euthanasia? Henrietta

	respiter  +  64146 Wed, 29 Dec 04 10:55 PM On Euthanasia. The act or practice of ending the life of an individual suffering from a terminal illness or an incurable condition, as by lethal injection or the suspension of extraordinary medical treatment. I understand that oldage, senility and incurable diseases are different issues altogether. When we start discussing on such a topic, we need to bear in mind that we are more responsible than ever. Our understanding of one's rights should not be very different from the other. I would say, there should be proper consensus on this and we need to look into the ramifications and also disadvantages which usually pop up out of this very new concept of life vis-a-vis euthanasia.. I will write more about this in the days to come... thanks for reading respiter Joined on Tue, Dec 21 2004 New Member 17