The right to die?

[theprof00]

TheLastStarFighter said:
I don't think there is anything wrong with the idea of someone in pain or suffering wanting to die in and of itself. Unfortunately like everything else nothing exists in a vacuum. If you allow assisted suicide to be practiced, you can create a culture that anyone who is sick or dependent should end their life because that's what others do. You may have elderly or sickly people being pressured by their family to end their life. I see it all the time with family members pressuring their elders into care homes and then taking their property and/or pension.

My stance on issues such as this is that all human life is sacred, from conception to death, and that it shouldn't be ended pre-maturely. I know it's not perfect and I know I may/would think differently in certain situations, but it's the most consistent and morally sound opinion I can come up with.

I am OK with pulling the plug on someone on life support, just not killing them if they would not die otherwise.

You raise a good point. Aside from the "sacred" and "moral" issues, that I definitely do not agree with, I could see the culture you're describing actually happening. I mean, already if someone wants to take their life peacefully, they can. It's called an overdose on sleeping pills. I feel that this more taboo approach to the subject is actually the better one.