Euthinasia

She was in the company of an unnamed doctor and Svend Robinson a Canadian NDP MP. Are they in their conscience mind or just numbed of the experience? The Criminal Code of Canada states that under Section 7- everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice. Most often the term dignity comes up in the conversation and stories of witnessing a friend or family member go through a prolonged death when their suffering could have been ended sooner. Sue wanted to wait until she was no longer able to enjoy life, at which time, because of the physical degeneration that characterizes Lou Gehrig’s disease, the ability for her to administer anything would be beyond her.

If these laws were to be enacted this would safe guard against those who would argue that active voluntary euthanasia or assisted suicide would establish and create the obligation to die for those who may become a burden on their families. It would protect those who are less able to protect their autonomy, the mentally incompetent or ill, the disabled, the elderly, the socially disadvantaged, the depressed. For some with terminal diseases medication cannot alleviate or suppress the inevitable conditions of their illness. Rodriquez contended that because she was too incapacitated to commit suicide herself, and suicide is not a crime, that she is being discriminated because she cannot legally have assistance to end her life.

The doctor does not issue a certificate of natural death, but fills out a 60-point questionnaire and calls the coroner, who comes to the home to view the body and verify the facts. She was asking for a declaration of judicial immunity in advance to protect who would assist her in her death.

· There is unacceptable and hopeless suffering, but not necessarily a terminal illness. Section 241 of the criminal code makes it an indictable offence to counsel, aid, or abet anyone to commit suicide.

I take a classical utilitarian view that an action is right if it maximizes the pleasure or happiness and minimizes the pain or unhappiness of all beings affected by it. People can become victims of technology and have their dying prolonged beyond what is reasonable or their life is extended at an extremely low quality.

Most people I know have had the discussion about a living will and what they would like to happen to them if they were to be in a position, either by accident or disease, they were to become incapacitated and unable to voice what they wanted to happen for their care, or if they would want to have the right to die.