A Question on Euthanasia

[Bud Struggle]

Well, I pretty much follow (though don't agree with) the Communist argument on abortion, but what about Euthanasia?

Is there a party line on the subject? I don't remember much of anything being written in Communist literature on the subject, but I'm a long way off from being well read on most Communist matters.

And if the answer is "yes", would it be for only the old and infirm, that is, those that are going to die soon already? What about people that just "want to die?" Wouldn't it be their choice, as free members of society?

Just wondering.

[Marsella]

I would think that most communists would support it.

In fact, I think that most people who have had a family member suffer from cancer or whatever would support it.


And if the answer is "yes", would it be for only the old and infirm, that is, those that are going to die soon already? What about people that just "want to die?" Wouldn't it be their choice, as free members of society?

I don't know. Someone who is otherwise very healthy, yet wants to kill themselves, needs more psychological help in my opinion.

But its rather hard to impose criminal penalties on suicide , isn't it? :/

[apathy maybe]

Voluntary euthanasia is something that, just like with abortion and the right to use drugs, every leftist should support.

Who's body? Not fucking well yours!

Involuntary euthanasia, no way sir.

[BobKKKindle$]

People suffering from terminal illness should be given the right to die. People who are simply depressed should be given help - but they should not be encouraged to end their own lives.

However, I am unsure as to whether this [legalizing euthanasia] would also apply to people in PVS, as they are not capable of making their request or expressing their consent to euthanasia, such that a family member would be forced to make the decision on the patients behalf - this opens the possibility of abuse, especially in a capitalist society where the right to inherit wealth still exists.

[Holden Caulfield]

it must be approved by at least two doctors or one doctor and one 'mental health professional',

if they do have any psychological issue then it cannot be carried out, if not and they are of sound mind and still want to die then it would be inhumane to deny them euthanasia

[pusher robot]

Voluntary euthanasia is something that, just like with abortion and the right to use drugs, every leftist should support.

Who's body? Not fucking well yours!

Involuntary euthanasia, no way sir.

What if their care is a massively disproportionate drain on communal resources? Does the community have the right to "cut them off" at some point?

[graffic]

Anyone who says they "want to die" is mentally unwell, and should be treated with anti-depressants or any other solution regarding Mental Health.

The amount of cases where people are in severe physical pain and want to die are so rare it doesnt warrant a debate.

[Schrödinger's Cat]

What if their care is a massively disproportionate drain on communal resources? Does the community have the right to "cut them off" at some point?

Well, under capitalism, the financial burden taken on by a terminal illness sometimes causes family members to unplug the machines. At least with us the burden isn't so hard on a specific group of people - it's spread out to the point the issue becomes minimal. So I guess we have to ask you the same thing?

The decision would ultimately fall on the ill person. If said person cannot respond, and there is no living will present, communities can determine for themselves if and who should be in charge of the decision.

[Vanguard1917]

I'm opposed to state sanctioned euthanasia. Few main reasons:

1. The responsiblity of the medical establishment should be to save or prolong lives and alleviate patients' suffering. Simply killing the patient should not be considered an alternative option.

2. Sick people often don't possess the right frame of mind to make rational decisions on the value of their lives. This is why it's so important for doctors (as well as friends and family members) to support the patient through the illness and keep the patient fighting the illness.

3. Legalising euthanasia would mean society giving official sanction to the idea that not all human life is inviolable. The distinction between terminally ill life and non-terminally ill life is an arbitary one. Why should non-terminally ill people have more rights to life than terminally ill people? All human life should be equal before the law.

[RGacky3]

I think people who are sound of mind and terminally ill, should have the option of going out peacefully, if someone is going to be a 'vegetable' for the rest of their life, I think they should have that option, hopefully the desision being made before that case, i.e. something in writing.

[Qwerty Dvorak]

Voluntary euthanasia is something that, just like with abortion and the right to use drugs, every leftist should support.

Who's body? Not fucking well yours!
If it's not your body, why should you interfere with it by killing it?


What if their care is a massively disproportionate drain on communal resources? Does the community have the right to "cut them off" at some point?
I don't believe so, protection of basic human rights and freedoms should be paramount. I am concerned however with the possibility of a majority deciding to terminate someone's life for that very reason. It is one of the main reasons why I think we should retain a strong judiciary and Constitution, as well as the idea of fundamental rights which are decried as bourgeois by some.



3. Legalising euthanasia would mean society giving official sanction to the idea that not all human life is inviolable. The distinction between terminally ill life and non-terminally ill life is an arbitary one. Why should non-terminally ill people have more rights to life than terminally ill people? All human life should be equal before the law.
The distinction is effectively between killing with consent and killing without consent, not healthy life and terminally ill life.

The reason euthanasia is generally confined to a medical context is because, as I'm a Tiger pointed out, a perfectly healthy person who wants to terminate his or her own life is probably mentally unwell, or in a situation not entirely dissimilar to a duress of circumstances. Consent would therefore be invalid. Terminally ill people, on the other hand, would often have logical and legitimate reasons to go out early.

--------------

In general though I would support voluntary euthanasia but would require consent from the patient, the doctor (maybe two doctors) and a court order.

[F9]

I beleive that if a person wants to die he should have the right to die but i think that noone has the right to takes his live off.He should do it be himself.

Fuserg9:star:

[careyprice31]

"I think people who are sound of mind and terminally ill, should have the option of going out peacefully, if someone is going to be a 'vegetable' for the rest of their life, I think they should have that option, hopefully the desision being made before that case, i.e. something in writing."




I agree. Keeping someone alive to suffer in anguish when they can go out peacefully and have a nice death and they want to end it is cruel and uncaring.

I had to have my first cat and my dog euthanized because they were terminally ill and were suffering as they died slowly. With euthanasia the death is painless and is less than a minute for them to fall unconscious and not feel anymore.

We offer animals that option. We should offer it to people as well.

__________________

[Dimentio]

Well, I pretty much follow (though don't agree with) the Communist argument on abortion, but what about Euthanasia?

Is there a party line on the subject? I don't remember much of anything being written in Communist literature on the subject, but I'm a long way off from being well read on most Communist matters.

And if the answer is "yes", would it be for only the old and infirm, that is, those that are going to die soon already? What about people that just "want to die?" Wouldn't it be their choice, as free members of society?

Just wondering.

Personally, I think assisted suicides should be allowed, but the controls must be really firm to ensure that the person in question is not temporarily insane or pressured into accepting assisted suicide.