Assisted suicides, Your oppinions?

[Timber Loftis]

The problem with "allowable suicide" whether it be assisted suicide or Euthenasia, is simple. "Allowable" can become "Repsonsible." If it is accepted that everyone who is diseased and old, terminally ill, or otherwise causing a burden on those around them will be allowed to commit suicide, then it is a short step to it being the "accepted thing." What I mean is to say that we DO NOT want to create a situation where someone's "choice" to live is colored by the fact they are an inconvenience to their family members.

In short, we do not want there to ever be a "responsibility" for one to "step aside" and "end the burden on others" by ending their life.

Of all places, The Practice had a really good episode on this where they were trying a doctor for assisted suicide = murder. ON the one hand, the defense argued for the right to die. ON the other hand, the prosecution sought to prevent the situation where the "right to die" ever became the "responsibility to get out of the way."

A very difficulat issue, to be sure.