Frankly, i think if we do the maths the number of people suffering
from the pain of illness too unbearable without painkillers or
dehabilating diseases is probably going to far outnumber the horror
cases.
I'm not trying to be flippant or ignore the fact that there are
abuses out there, but it's just going to be a mathematical
certainty as you grow older you're going to get hit by a chronic
disease, suffering from pain and discomforts where everyday is just
struggling to take the next breath, not living in any sense of the
word.
I certainly would like the option open for myself of
course. Euthanasia should really be only allowed with permission by
the person suffering. There's already a procedure for coma
patients, i think the Euthanasia the government is trying to
push for is a different thing.
Stevenson, you and I can be friends for i admire your efforts to
question sensibly issues and give your perspectives in as logical
manner as you believe possible. Again, I must disagree with your
perspectives, and perspectives alone only, nothing to do with you
as a person or seeking for antagonism. I humbly apologise forthwith
if you feel offended.
The govt's effort to promote euthanasia is a watered down
version known as Advance Medical Directive, whereby you authorise
doctors to terminate your life while still lucid of mind in the
event one is involved in a calamity beyond medical hope.
Such directives, although watered down versions of euthanasia,
are a moral dilemma to any doctor who swore to the Hippocratic
oaths and held in honour since Greek civilisation, the first people
to question our existance as a race, began.
Even then, Hippocrates' medical knowledge was far minimal than
what we modern men know today. Yet he never hesitated to save lives
or gave up, as many as he and his disciples could.
Today, with our advances in medical knowledge, for a doctor to
accept euthanasia or even promote it is a horror and a repudiation
of the oath sworn in honour, regressing civilisation back to the
jungles and caves, not even fit to lick the toes of
Hippocrates.
But I signed volunteerily for AMD as well as giving away my
organs freely. Not because I had lost the will to fight in order to
live, but only because of the COSTS involved. I have no wish to
burden my loved ones or society.
Thus death was a choice because of MONETARY PRAGMATISM, which
was why many are actually opting for euthanesia, not that they were
cowards and had not the courage to live life.
The issue therefore is why should medical costs be allowed to
range far beyond the costs of a common person? Why are doctors as
well as the medical industrial complex stuffed with money, more
money than they can ever spend in several lifetimes be allowed, at
the expense of a comman man's life?
Why should a pill that cost only 0.03cts to produce is sold at
$1? Why should aircon be used in a hospital when a fan would
suffice? Why should a bed be hydralically activated when pillows
would be good enough to prop a patient up?
Why should a researcher be paid thousands of dollars, when such
money comes from the sick or the dead? Isn't such profiting
unconscienable? During WWII, we hang black marketeers - people who
profit from the suffering of civilians and POWs, but why are we now
condoning such practices?
Somehow, somewhere, mankind and the health industry had lost its
noble meaning as well as humanity. Doctors were meant to save
lives, but now resorting to murdering lives. Is this
Utilitarianism?
Get rid of the old and weak, an easier option than to find ways
to save them, as many thousands of doctors had done with their
persistance, making scientific discoveries saving lives thru the
ages?
Utilitarianism will only lead to one man alone living in our
planet with no future. Egalitarianism is the only way we can
progress together as a human race into the future. No one must be
left behind in our journey into our common future.
Euthanasia, in whatever form, is only Utilitarianism
cloaked.
Many of our sick and aged had fought with courage over their
illness, and by their bravery, had been a source of pride and role
model for us to face realities and challenges.
With euthanesia, anyone who have a slight pain will only use it
as an excuse to seek death, and death is always a loss to
humanity.
Each human, from a roadsweeper to a PM, has his/her gift for
contribution to mankind and is precious in his/her lifetime for the
impact he/she would make to others.
If euthanesia is what society wants, than there is no hope for
humanity and is doomed. It seems we as a race are hell bent on self
destruction.
