If Terri was a dog and she had been deprived food and water for two weeks and died of starvation, the Owner of the dog would be fined, possibly jailed, for cruelty to animals.
Why do we think it is OK for people to put pets out of their misery, but not put people out of their misery? Indeed, putting people out of their misery is illegal.
I know obviously that people's lives are more valuable than animals, but I have met more dogs that I like, than people that I like .
Seriously though, I realise that human life is valuable and we have to do everything we can to save it, but when it becomes impossible, why do we insist on keeping the person's body alive?
What benefit does that person have for being kept alive artificially, I know that people have, on occasion, woken from 15 years in a coma and other such miracles, but it is such a rarity, everyone on life support, etc can't seriously be waiting for that kind of miracle.
Although I guess if it was my husband or child, I would be holding out for that miracle.
Is that what it's about? We keep their bodies alive, waiting for a miracle?
Euthanization is murder in my eyes.
Because the people that are pushing for it are people who want to die or allow people to die medically before their time.
Unhappy with life? Go see Jack.
Afraid to go through chemo, radiation? Go see Jack.
etc etc
Before the "miracle" of feeding tubes, respirators...exactly what happened to people? They died. Medical technology can be a curse as well as a blessing depending on how you look at it.
You are not refusing food and water. You are refusing a feeding tube, which is extraordinary means to many, and it is included under Florida law.
Refusing something like dialysis, ventilatoy, feeding tube, are just refusing medical care. It is not euthanasia. Just as there are people that refuse life saving drugs, the feeding tube is included in that bunch.
So no, it's not euthanasia, it's not cruel, it's just refusal of care. Those were Mrs. Schiavo's wishes, so they were carried out.
we have people who look to end their lives because they are in pain. Too many doctors are afraid to give people, even terminal ones, enough medication to make their pain bearable. They worry that it will look like they are over prescribing. Our country needs to do more in the way of pain management. No one should have to live with debilitating or chronic pain. Trust me, chronic pain is horrible to bear.
Inner City Blue said this in post #5 : So no, it's not euthanasia, it's not cruel, it's just refusal of care. Those were Mrs. Schiavo's wishes, so they were carried out.
If Terri's wishes had included being euthanised, would you have been so supportive?
I am sure that when she stated that she didn't want to be kept alive in PVS, that she wasn't entirely sure that it would include starving to death or dying of dehydration.
Maybe so Schigg but think about this for a moment. Terri hasn’t had solid foods in almost 2 decades. If she was feeling anything, I’m sure hunger wasn’t one of them.
Hydration could have been a concern here and the effects of withholding nourishment but I hear doctors eased any concerns with morphine. So since our laws don’t condone euthanasia this was the only alternative.
Nothing is an absolute, however it’s more highly probable that Terri felt nothing than the remote chance that she suffered any effects from it.
Coming back to this thread, I must say I do support the youth in Asia, I don't want to be racist or anything, I would support the youh in other continents, why not the Asians.
. 