Should Physicians be Allowed to Assist in Patient Suicide?
400100
yes.  it's a normal part of life and health care.
730268
No, what if that person's organs die before they are removed? What if the organ's are not compatible? then the suicide would be useless. \n\nDepending on what is needed, sometimes a person can donate while they remain alive.\n\nDonating is a great virtue, but all within it's own time, suicide affects many people and may even affect the person waiting on a transplant
426587
Doctor assisted suicide allows a terminally ill patient the choice, the chance, and the control of where, when, how, and with whom they are going to die.  Often times when someone is terminally ill, they have no choice.  It's a disease that suddenly takes away their life.  DAS allows them the CHOICE and control, the one thing they may feel they've lost.  \n\nMany also feel like they've become a burden on their loved ones.  If that's the case, they'll talk it over and make the decision as a family.  Most cases when DAS is used it's a single person without family to help.  In that case they just feel like it's the best way to get control back in their life.
423626
Suicide is NOT ILLEGAL.  It does VIOLATE mental standards and will result in you being LOCKED in a MENTAL WARD, but you DO NOT goto jail for attempting suicide.  This is why insurance policies must exclude it or they have to pay for.  If it was illegal the policy wouldn't have to pay since it was earned through comission of a crime.  \n\nNow assisting in a suicide for someone else will land you in jail on charges of murder/attempted murder.\n\nEDIT:Anyone whos says it's illegal I'd be happy to say I'm wrong if you show me one law stating that.  It's a violation of mental standards, but that results in a mental lockup NOT jail.  There'd be no way to make it illegal since one would be not guilty by reason of insanity in the US.
1067535
Yes, I have. I was hospitalized for suicide ideation and was diagnosed with depression (sounds weird but I had no idea I was clinically depressed!). I started taking anti-depressants and seeing a therapist regularly. They both have helped a lot.\n\nSuicide is one of the most selfish things you can do. You have SO many people around you who love you and care about you; your death will cause them lots of pain and heartache. I know, because I had a really good friend commit suicide a couple years ago.\n\nI can't tell from your question whether or not this is something that you're thinking about; if you are, I would suggest that you get some professional help. Working out the sorts of issues that are causing you to think about suicide may seem overwhelming, but there are plenty of supports out there for you.
446712
Don't you dare take your life. I'm sure there are many that have time to help you. Are you willing to accept help from others is the question??
515851
I don't know if it should be considered a "right". I think each case should be determined on its own merit. Some say they are against, some say they are for it. Who is right? If a person is terminally ill, in incredible pain, why shouldn't they be able to make a decision to have a doctor assisted suicide? They are many who agree that the death penalty is moral, so why shouldn't the right to die be considered to be moral. Some places consider execution and abortion to be legal, each in each instance the taking of a life. Yet they have a problem with assisted suicide.
920798
I checked before.\nNO state in US makes suicide illegal.\nAlmost all states makes it illegal to INDUCE or cause  suicide. Some states make it illegal to AIDE in suicide(this is hotly debated issue)[1]\n\nJust a few sites:\nIf you want you can do this for all 50:\nPennsylvania mentions aiding suicide(18-205)[2]\nNew Jersey mentions aiding suicide(   2C:11-6.)[3]\nConnecticut mentions suicide as a part of definition of murder(e.g " person is guilty of murder when, with intent to cause the death of another person, he causes the death of such person or of a third person or causes a suicide by force, duress or deception")[4]\nTexas(it was mentioned above) ONLY mentions suicide in 22.08. Which is once again -- you guessed it --  AIDING SUICIDE provision.[5]\n\netc etc.\nOnce again: No state makes suicide ITSELF illegal
115356
Generally, no; but any insane asylum needs to know how to make survival compulsory for their suicidal inmates. I'd think some of the more basic forms of learning could also be forced.
1153587
no  I don't believe  in euthanasia (assisted  suicide  )  were there is life there is  hope  .....and  don't think  it fair  on the  person  having to  assist  ..pain management  these  days  is getting  better  what if you helped someone to die and the next day there  was a cure...and to comparing  us to the animals .. Had  dog  with arthritis  everyone thought  I was cruel  to keep him alive  he was on pain management  would you like to be  put out of your misery   for that don't think  so  ...but it could happen  ...don't think anyone  really want  to die  ...but hope I never in that situation   so  really does my opinion  count  ..
778599
I am completely for assisted suicide for the terminally ill.  If someone is so sick that thier quality of life is so bad that death is a release, so be it!  If suicide is used as a political statement ( such as hunger strikes and monks setting themselves on fire) I find that equally acceptable even rightious.  But if someone is going to kill themselves because they can't pay thier bills, or they are unhappy in thier marriage, I think that is cowardly... these are things that can be changed, declare bankruptcy, get a divorce... dont kill yourself!  If you are depressed, see a specialist, there are plenty of mood moderating meds available!
550032
i think i could report a few answers for assisted suicide, because you are suicidal and all, and you need help and a hotline.....maybe something like The Mentors, like when El Douche swallowed your cat and pissed on the crowd\n\nI'M NOT CRAZY, INSTITUTION. YOUR THE ONE THATS CRAZY! INSTITUTION! YOUR DRIVING ME CRAZY!
46703
ABSOLUTELY ... but only for the proper reason of using it.  It is not meant to help people "get out of life" because life is too tough.  But if someone is suffering needlessly with NO HOPE for recovery ... absolutely.  It has been proven that many people suffering terminal illness are in a lot of pain and the doctors are usually too scared to over prescribe narcotic pain killers for fear of losing their license.
9683
Some people are dying to try it.  There are several problems.  It should be administered by someone who is medically qualified but doctors take an oath to not harm their patients.  Also, after the fact can it be proved that someone underwent euthanasia voluntarily without duress?  Will some use it because they are not being treated effectively for pain?  Plus there are many purely moral issues regarding the value of human life.  Could a vile government extend the practice to involuntary euthanasia, as did nazi Germany, to eliminate "undesirables?"  The matter is rather complicated and society had best proceed with caution - while respecting free choice of those who hold their own personal beliefs.
655255
I'm a doctor.\nFirst of all it is NOT a stupid question.  Far from it.  As a matter of fact, its a hot & controversial topic in medicine right now.\nSecondly, ALL doctors should go over any new medication with his/her patient.\n\nAbout prozac - this and all the other meds of its class (SSRIs) have come under scrutiny in the last couple years.  Despite the large benefit that these meds can do, some claim there is a small yet signifigant risk.  According to some highly disputed research, there is a SLIGHTLY higher risk of suicide in patients, esp younger patients, in the period briefly after starting the medication.  Its poorly understood, but if its true it may related to the increased motivation and decreased impulse control BEFORE the antidepressant effects have kicked in yet.  Some psychiatrists believe that the evidence is not strong and has not been able to be reproduced because it isnt true.\n\nWait a second, isnt this supposed to be an ANTI-depressant??!!  Yes, and that's part of the problem.  These meds are being given to a population of patients that are allready at high risk for suicide to begin with.  You can see why this is so controversial...\n\nThat being said, it shouldnt be forgotten that these meds (the SSRIs) have helped MILLIONS of people not only with depression, but also with other problems like OCDC like yourself.  As a matter of fact, these meds are so good that they've totally changed the practice of psychiatry today.  \n\nHOWEVER, if you do experience problems with the medication (or ANY other new medication for that matter) tell your doctor or somebody that can help RIGHT AWAY.  In that situation, your doctor should talk to you, and likely an alternative medication can be tried.\n\n\nI know this is very confusing.  I'm SORRY!  but you are not alone.  It is a controversial and unresolved issue for doctors as well.  Don't blame your parents, because they may have easily been totally unaware too.  PLEASE dont be afraid to ask your doctor these questions - PLEASE.
938113
Yes indeed, I think suicide is a very selfish thing to do. People will be very angry at first, than they go into a depression and than finally recovery. Alot of times though denial and guilt comes first because you cant believe it has happened and than you feel guilty because you think you could have some how prevented it.
718921
I would say "yes" but with reservations. The legislation has to be carefully worded so there is no possibility for abuse. \n\nMy concerns revolve around the potential to euthanize the patient out of "convenience"...convenience to the family that doesn't want to bear the expense of keeping the "loved one" alive or convenience to the medical facility that wants the bed or the patient is a financial drain on their health care system, i.e., someone without insurance.\n\nThe legislation would have to demand four things be done prior to euthanizing the patient for me to be comfortable with it: (1) a signed and witnessed document stating the patient's desires, (2) euthanasia would only be done to someone who has a terminal illness and death is imminent (maybe six months), (3) the patient has been evaluated to ensure that he/she is not just depressed or is unaware of other treatment options, and (4) that the terminal nature of the patient's disease/condition has to be validated by more than one physician.