Actually, at the risk of being contrary, I have a concern about the wording of the first selection, specifically with the statement that it should be each individual's free choice. The problem I have with that is, unlike suicide, euthanasia requires the action of more than one individual, not just the individual who decides that it is time for his or her life to end. So an act of euthanasia requires the free choice of at least two individuals, not just one individual.
But maybe I'm just being picky. Sorry about that!
That's a very valid point, Jeff, and thank you for raising it. I guess what I was thinking about was a situation like "Not For Resuscitation" (NFR) orders. Here in Australia, under certain circumstances, patients can choose not to be resuscitated:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Do_not_resuscitate
Likewise, I was thinking that in the case of euthanasia, one could make a similar choice. Perhaps you have a history of dementia or Alzheimer's in the family. Or you fear being kept alive by machines indefinitely, in a vegetative state. You could leave specific instructions, just as one does re NFR or in choosing to be an organ donor, for example.
It would be your own individual choice. Perhaps the form could be kept by your lawyer with your Will and other papers.
That's a very valid point, Jeff, and thank you for raising it. I guess what I was thinking about was a situation like "Not For Resuscitation" (NFR) orders. Here in Australia, under certain circumstances, patients can choose not to be resuscitated:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Do_not_resuscitate
Likewise, I was thinking that in the case of euthanasia, one could make a similar choice. Perhaps you have a history of dementia or Alzheimer's in the family. Or you fear being kept alive by machines indefinitely, in a vegetative state. You could leave specific instructions, just as one does re NFR or in choosing to be an organ donor, for example.
It would be your own individual choice. Perhaps the form could be kept by your lawyer with your Will and other papers.
Sure enough, but in the U.S. the medical profession--and I work on the fringe of medical education--makes a distinction between a "Do Not Resuscitate" order and euthanasia. The medical profession--or, at least, those who educate future doctors in the U.S.--do not see "DNR" orders euthanasia.