Charles Gray wrote:

I have problems with actual termination of humans-- it opens so many
cans of worms, legal and ethical alike.

Definitely so. It should always be difficult concept to wrestle with,
or we've gone terribly wrong.

I think the problem is that the idea that the doctor will do
everything to keep you alive has ignored the fact that we *are* going
to die at some point, and that as medical technology gets more
advanced that point that be delayed long past where it should happen.
But on the other hand, that's a terrible decision to make-- and there
have been cases of criminal or ethical charges being brought against
doctors who have done so, even with the cooperation of the family.
Dr. Kevorkians antics didn't help the debate any either, of cousre.

Totally agree.

There may have once been a time when a physician, in agreement with
patient or family, would quietly "speed" the process of dying.

But litigation, a looser bond between patient and physician (no more
Dr. Welby's it seems), and grandstanders like Kevorkian haven't helped
in the debate.


SMH