Jonathan Ganz wrote:

Good question. I'll answer that with another one... what about
the situation where, as you say, the person hasn't specifically
expressed a wish to be euthanised, but is in obvious agony
and can not speak, and of course, there is no reasonable
outlook for recovery or improvement?

I have no wish to die at the hands of another, and I don't think I have the
right to make that decision for someone else who is unable to express a view
one way or the other. Pain is a 'now' concept and tomorrow is another day.


Moreover, what if
that "person" is an animal that can't express its thoughts, but
is just as obviously in pain most or all of the time?

We can't read their minds and we infer that they're in pain by observing
their behaviours. I sometimes wonder if people have a sick pet put down
because they can't face the prospect of watching it die a slow death.


I am not an advocate of euthanasia per se. I am an advocate
of treating people with respect, especially if they voice their
wishes.


It's my view that, to euthanise someone 'with respect', their wish that this
be done is a prerequisite.


--
Wally
www.makearatherlonglinkthattakesyounowhere.com
Things are always clearer in the cold, post-upload light.

Not from what I've seen. It's easy to say pain is a now concept.
It's another to either be in the now for weeks/months on end or
watch someone wither away who is.

"Wally" wrote in message
...
Jonathan Ganz wrote:

Good question. I'll answer that with another one... what about
the situation where, as you say, the person hasn't specifically
expressed a wish to be euthanised, but is in obvious agony
and can not speak, and of course, there is no reasonable
outlook for recovery or improvement?

I have no wish to die at the hands of another, and I don't think I have
the
right to make that decision for someone else who is unable to express a
view
one way or the other. Pain is a 'now' concept and tomorrow is another day.


Moreover, what if
that "person" is an animal that can't express its thoughts, but
is just as obviously in pain most or all of the time?

We can't read their minds and we infer that they're in pain by observing
their behaviours. I sometimes wonder if people have a sick pet put down
because they can't face the prospect of watching it die a slow death.


I am not an advocate of euthanasia per se. I am an advocate
of treating people with respect, especially if they voice their
wishes.


It's my view that, to euthanise someone 'with respect', their wish that
this
be done is a prerequisite.


--
Wally
www.makearatherlonglinkthattakesyounowhere.com
Things are always clearer in the cold, post-upload light.

Jonathan Ganz wrote:
Not from what I've seen. It's easy to say pain is a now concept.
It's another to either be in the now for weeks/months on end or
watch someone wither away who is.

My point was that medical science advances. Given that, I would choose pain
over oblivion.


--
Wally
www.makearatherlonglinkthattakesyounowhere.com
Things are always clearer in the cold, post-upload light.

I understand. Your choice, but that's an easy one to make
when you're not in pain... for example, I've had experience
with someone who had two choices.. either be conscious
and screaming or unconscious from the meds. With the latter
choice, you can go for a while that way, but then the body
tends to deteriorate pretty quickly. Not much of a choice.
Also, at one point, they couldn't give him more pain meds,
because they were afraid it would kill him.

"Wally" wrote in message
...
Jonathan Ganz wrote:
Not from what I've seen. It's easy to say pain is a now concept.
It's another to either be in the now for weeks/months on end or
watch someone wither away who is.

My point was that medical science advances. Given that, I would choose
pain
over oblivion.


--
Wally
www.makearatherlonglinkthattakesyounowhere.com
Things are always clearer in the cold, post-upload light.