When it comes to suicide, the UK contradict themselves on this subject. It's not alright for people to consider euthanasia when they are suffering in pain from being physically immobile. However, it's fine for a Jehovah's Witness to be refused blood treatment while he/she's in hospital out of respect for their religious beliefs.
It seems that we're pussyfooting around those to suit the religious cults with their delusions and ignorance of medical science instead of giving everyone an equal opportunity to take their life if they so wish.
What say you, people?
The Euthanasia one is for peoples protection, there is a good possibility that vulnerable people can be persuaded into signing the forms to off themselves. Anyone has the right to refuse medical treatment (a right which I think should be at a doctors discretion, so they can overrule it in cases of rank stupidity). I do hate the way religion is allowed a say in anything at all though...
I have to agree with this, AS LONG as it is a voluntary and iinformed choice BY the individual who chooses to refuse medical treatment or chooses to commit suicide. Where I draw the line is from my standpoint as a nurse/medical professional. Allow me to split hairs here. As a nurse and geriatric/hospice specialist, I am committed to ensuring that my patients enjoy the highest, most dignified quality of life that can be done at the end of that individuals life. Ex. If by giving that shot of morphine that a HOSPICE patient needs to control their pain........I am hastening the end of their life.......so be it...........it's their choice and I am honoring their choice. BUT, in the case of euthanasia, I'm worried that I am not responding to the patients desires, but to a Doctor's or families "convenience", especially since a lot of the case that I have read about and studied have been of patients UNABLE to make their own decisions.
I also do not like religion to intrude into medical decisions. Rather I support the individuals right to choose according to THEIR beliefs, not ANYBODY else's. In the long run, I have my own personal beliefs about such things, but, overall is my belief in the freedom of individual choice, AS LONG as that individual has the clarity of mind or previously written/documented choice to make that known. If things are done by hearsay or second guessing, than I as a medical professional can't follow those and have to go by my own personal ethics.
And if that sounds confusing, believe me, this is one grey, murky area that scares the bloody fucking shit outta me.
I agree with you here, especially with the double effect bit. Personally though, in a lot of cases I would keep a paitient alive against their own wishes, its not like they cant off themselves later. Out of intrest, what would you have done with the Jehovahs witness?
Jehovah's Witnesses have the right to their own beliefs. The hospitals that I have worked in have a special consent and release form for them. It's their choice. As long as they understand the consequences of that choice. As for keeping somebody alive against their will, thats murky too. I myself have a living will stating no extraordinary measures should be taken if it means the quality of my life will mean being a vegetable for the rest of my life. I have it in writing. But, a Doctor can certainly override that wish, if they want to.
They do have such a right, just as you have a right to your own beliefs, and if they are out, then you could (and in my view should) have given the blood transfusion, just not told her about it. I really dont see why someone otherwise healthy should have been allowed to die for such a laughable reason. Asides, people in such religions are born into them.
Like I said it's murky and I agree with you, especially about the children and otherwise healthy people who could be saved by a simple transfusion. Giving it and Not telling them about it, conflicts with my own ethics and seems like the beginnings of a slippery slope of justifying doing this or that, witholding this or that based upon my own beliefs/ethics. Where would it end?
That murkiness and slippery slope possibility, scares me. I don't think that I could work in a state that has a "Right to die' or "Physicians assisted euthanasia" law. Thats just me! I can handle someone who has a DNR (Do not resuscitate) paper that has been signed off by the patient AND the doctor and the patients family/guardian. Of course I work with the elderly and dying anyway, so it's usually clearly defined as to the limits I have. My personal beliefs include the sanctity of all life, but, I also support the individuals right to refuse treatment, get an abortion, or whatever.
I know that sounds contradictory, but, that is something that I have worked out for myself and am at peace with. I also allow myself some flexibility to be able to handle those situations that come up that somehow fall into those Grey Areas that pop up in dealing with people and beliefs. To me life is NOT totally black and white, there is black and white on the sides, but, the middle is one big shade of grey. And it's something that I and I alone have to navigate thru and live with the consequences.
I don't know if that makes any sense to others, but, it's the best I can do to explain myself.
