This weekend, I watched the HBO movie, “You Don’t Know Jack” starting Al Pacino as Dr. Jack Kevorkian. Dr. Kevorkian or “Dr. Death” as he is sometimes called in the media claims to have assisted 130 terminally ill patients with ending their life. In each case, the terminally ill individual took the final action resulting in death. Dr. Kevorkian assisted them by attaching them to intravenous drips or devices that once pushed, released drugs that would end the patient’s life. Dr. Kevorkian’s crusade to legalize physician-assisted suicide caused a massive controversy with some calling him a killer, and others calling him the most empathic physician they had ever known.
In November 1998, Dr. Kevorkian allowed 60 Minutes to air a videotape of a voluntary euthanasia. In the video, the patient voluntarily gives his consent at which time Dr. Kevorkian administers a lethal injection. This video was significant, because it was the first time Dr. Kevorkian administered the lethal dose himself. He was subsequently charged and convicted on second-degree murder and served eight years in prison.
I have to admit, I felt conflicted watching this movie. All four of my grandparents suffered for years with terminal illness. I know first-hand what it is like to watch someone you love suffer, with no hope for a cure. Had there been a way to end their suffering, I know for sure I would’ve thought about it. As Dr. Kevorkian said “We don’t let our animals suffer, why do we let our fellow human beings”? That being said, as I watched the movie, I kept coming back to my faith. In the end, I just can’t justify taking someone’s life or assisting someone in taking their own. For me, it feels too much like “playing God”.
So my question to you this week is “What do you think of physician-assisted suicide? Should it be allowed? If so, in what cases?” Answers are due no later than Tuesday, May 4th, 2010. Please note the change in the deadline because I will be out of town. There will be no new blog post the week that I am gone. The blog will resume with a new post on Tuesday, May 11th, 2010.
First of all, there was a lot of inaccuracy in the movie, "You Don't Know Jack." The majority of people who died at his hands were NOT terminally ill at all, but were mostly women who had NONterminal chronic conditions and disabilities. Also, as far as I can tell, the conversation with Janet Goode about Kevorkian being motivated by the bad death of his mother was an invention of the scriptwriter. Before starting his career on assisted suicide, Kevorkian spent *three decades* writing journal articles, approaching legislators, etc. toward one goal - to be allowed to give death row prisoners a chance to die under general anesthesia (which he would administer) - but the catch was that the prisoners would have to volunteer to be subjected to lethal medical experiments while unconscious. I don't blame the scriptwriter for leaving that out.
ReplyDeleteI'll be writing more on this later, but this link has what I've done so far and provides links to documentation:
http://notdeadyetnewscommentary.blogspot.com/2010/04/hbo-is-making-sure-we-dont-know-jack.html
One more thing - as to the idea that we're kinder to animals...
ReplyDeleteIt's a fiction that we maintain to make ourselves out to be nicer than we are. Most pets are NOT put down because they have a painful terminal illness but because they are peeing on the rug, have something treatable but more than we want to spend, have behaviors we can't tolerate, etc.
And - yes - there are sources to back those claims up as well.
We as humans do treat animals as if they are humans as well. Alot of the time when animals are put down they might not have a terminal illness. But they are old and decrepid and their body doesnt function as it used to. Think about it when you bring that new pet home you have the problems of pissing and shiting on your floor. But you treat that animal as your child in a sense. You have to potty train it as you would your young child. But I'm sure at the same time the old animals are not having the time of their life at this age. They are probably in pain and sufering to some extent. So we "put them out of their misery". Most of the time we do this so we dont suffer and have to deal with more pain. So moveing onto our elders who are terminally ill. I dont beleive in suicide. I used to think about it alot being depressed all the time. It is a tough thing to deal with and think about. But I can understand if someone is suffering and in lots of pain. Sure our medical industry has all kinds of neat little pills and fluids to take care of pain. But these dont always help. So what are we to do. How can we comfort our loved ones? I remember Dr. Kevorkian being on the national new's when I was younger and wondering what the big deal was. To me it seemed he was helping people that where suffering. To me this is something that should be legal. If someone is on their death bed and suffering why not let them leave their misery?
ReplyDeleteI think physician assisted suicide should be legal. The physician should only providing a painless means for a person to end their life, not actually administer the lethal dose. The patient should probably go through some counseling and an evaluation to ensure they are of sound mind and not just suffering from a temporary depression. The question I have is: if someone is suffering and doesn’t have a quality of life, who are we to say they have to continue to suffer if they choose not to? Also what is the difference between this and “pulling the plug” on coma patients and advance directives?
ReplyDeleteLori
I believe no one should live as a vegetable for years and years. When someone pulls the plug on a person in this condition, the body doesn't function on its own, then they die. HOWEVER, with the case of Dr. Kevorkian, it seems like these patients were still able to function and make decisions. Their bodies could function on their own for the time being. This leads me to believe his "aid" was just a way to death. My father had a terminal disease and me and my family cared for him for 13 years until his death. Towards the end he could do nothing for himself, yet we still took him to the park, watched movies, treated and loved him like he was still a human being. Maybe this doctor should have been taking time to help these patients enjoy the last years of their life. Instead, he was giving them everything they need to end their lives early. I don't think assisted suicide should be legal.
ReplyDeleteKaloni
I, in no way, support any form of suicide. I have always believed that suicide is the easy way out whether it is from depression or a terminal illness. I find it to be very respectable and strong to fight through whichever of these problems you may be fighting with. I also believe that the doctor that is "assisting" in this suicide should be charged with first degree murder. When it comes to the person being euthanized, it is a moral decision. When it comes to the physician, it is clearly committing a crime.
ReplyDeleteAustin Smith
Austin -
ReplyDeleteDr. Kevorkian was charged with first degree murder, however the jury only convicted him of second degree murder. I am sorry I didn't make that more clear in my original post.
Stephanie
I dont agree with suicide at all. Being a physician assisstant is still considered a murderer. They should have no right to decide how someone should die or how thier life should end. I know that its hard for someone to be suffering from an illness but if they can still make their own decisions and still know what is going on around them then they should not be put to death. Also i know it may be hard for other people caring for their loved ones who are suffering from an illness. At the same time i think it would be a smarter choice to find other ways to help them with their suffering and not just get rid of them like they are nobody. They might want to still enjoy the last couple of weeks they have left. Humans should be treated as humans and not animals.
ReplyDeleteFrom what i read I am glad that Dr Kevorkian was charged with first degree murder but his prison time could have been longer or even life in prison. He thought that he was helping other people but not in this case, he was killing people.
DIANA
ReplyDeleteI think physician assisted suicide should not be allowed. Who are we to control someone’s life/death? There are a lot of other ways to give the patients a peace of mind. It’s ridiculous to get rid of someone’s life just so that the person is not in pain anymore. This is called murdering, and it’s an open crime. If a person is destined to live 100 years of life and you just cut down his/her lifespan at 90 years because you thought that they are not functioning well and death is their ultimate solution then you are mistakenly wrong. I think we should think of other successful ways of keeping them happy in their last days and let them die natural. If we will give up on them, then seriously it’s time for them to give up also but what if we still keep them all passionate and positive about their life and make their every moment full of bliss. I truly don’t believe in physician assisted suicide and it shouldn’t be legal in any case.
ReplyDeleteSajal Dhingra
I believe that if the patient wishes the pull of the plug or some sort of injection due to a coma or some terminal illness, then it should be allowed. No one should suffer, and I know that my great grandmother has always said to me if she cant do for herself in any way, and is being assisted my a machine then I am to pull the plug and call it a night. Well I know I will be doing so. I agree that intensive interviewing before the action is done, to be sure that it is truly terminal illness and not depression. If it is depression, there are other solutions than death. That would be the easy way out as people would say. So overall, injection to end life or pulling the plug should be legal and done at complete understanding with the family, doctors, and patient.
ReplyDeleteBACK IN NOVEMBER OF 1998 I WAS IN BASIC TRAINING IN THE ARMY AND WAS SHUT OFF FROM NEWS, MEDIA, AND CURRENT EVENTS OF THAT TIME. I DID NOT EVER SEE THE MOVIE OR ANY DOCUMENTRY OF THAT DOCTOR AND WHAT HE DONE. QUITE HONESTLY IF I WAS A DIEING PATIENT I WOULD WANT MY LIFE TO END SO THAT MY FAMILY COULD MOVE ON AND I COULD QUIT SUFFERRING. ESPECIALLY IF I WAS LIKE TERRI SCHIVO I WOULD HAVE WANTED THE PLUG PULLED ON ME LONG AGO. MY WIFE AND I AGREE THAT IF EITHER ONE OF US IS TO BECOME TERMINALLY ILL OR IN A BRAIN DEAD COMMA THAT WE WOULD WANT TO BE PUT OUT OF OUR MISSERY SO OUR FAMILIES COULD MOVE ON WITH THEY LIFE.
ReplyDeleteERIC A. SHELTON
Based on the situation with the Doctor, he had a hidden agenda that implied some sort of obsession.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm not sure I personally have never been in a situation where death seems like the only option. If the pain is great enough and you know that your not going to get better...well I can almost say that it would be better to die then suffer through it.
I don't think that anyone should consider death their only option though.
I believe that physician-assisted suicide should definitely be legal. I have always believed that the right to die should hold the exact same weight as the right to live. People argue for individual rights, the right to think for themselves, and do as they please, so why is having someone help you end your life any different?
ReplyDeleteIf Dr. Kevorkian's patients were all indeed terminally ill (even if they weren't I don't see what he did as wrong) then I am on the side that say he was the "most empathic physician they had ever known". Doctors on a regular basis give pain medication to patients upon request, why not ultimately end their pain if that's what they wish?
One huge mistake was made when Dr. Kevorkian himself administered a lethal dose to a patient. Although the patient may have wanted to have it done, I believe the patient should be the one to perform the final act. If the patient is unable to, then a member of the family should. I don't feel this is any different than pulling the plug, and that is widely accepted.
Adam Gading
WOW! This is a really hard one to choose sides on. I remember back in 2006 my aunt was dying from breast cancer and lung cancer, and she finally decided after six strong years of fighting the two that she just couldn't do it anymore. As this was a shock to her husband and kids let alone the whole family as well, but we all supported her and her decision to just let go. So with this post I can really see what Dr. Kevorkian is saying by, " we don't allow our animals to suffer, and why allow our fellow human suffer". At the same time I really see the other side point of view. But overall I truly believe its up to that person and that person's family to choose if they want to end their own life because in reality if we were in that situation would we want our suffering family member, friend or maybe even ourselves be sent free from the pain that we are trying to conquer. Or is it possible that the thought of loosing a love one is to hard for some people to deal with and this way is just even harder then loosing that person from the start. Over I think this might be an option, not meaning its the right one to pick but it should be an option for those who don’t have many left to pick from.
ReplyDeleteI would go both ways on this subject. If you have an illness that will ultimately kill you, the question is... How long are you going to suffer and fight? This subject has always been looked at from the outside in. No one thinks about how the patient feels. How long have they been fighting? How bad is the pain? What quality of life are they going to have for the rest of their time here on earth. People always bring faith into this topic too, but that is your faith not theirs. If you don't believe in life after death then your just done, game over end of days, suffering, and the pain. If you do believe in a higher power then you have to ask the question... is the pain now, less than if I take my life and burn in hell for eternity?
ReplyDeleteMy family runs a funeral business and one thing I always keep hearing from the families of the deceased is "at least they arent suffering anymore" and in most cases, people are sadly suffering for a period of time before they die. I can see why Dr. Kevorkian did what he did.
ReplyDeleteIn all Honesty, I hate Hospitals...its where most of us are born and its where most of us will wait to die...and I Am absolutely terrified of spending months in a hospital bed hooked up to machines being kept barely alive...to me, that sounds like torture.
I dont know how everyone thinks about death, but I see it as a perfectly natural thing and I think its un-natural to be kept alive until someone decides to draw the line.
Im sorry if this offends anyone, but I think This is an issue that should be kept out of politics...it seems more of a personal choice. but if I was slowly dying in the hospital, I just want enough time to get my affairs in order, and say my goodbyes...then they can just pull the plug and let nature do what it was meant to do...but thats just me
I think if you have a incurable or untreatable sickness that leaves you in constant pain and you chose to end your life, physician-assisted suicide is ok. The people in these situations know they will die soon and some may attempt to try an commit suicide with or without a doctors, so at least give them a way to make it less painful for them. I don't think every doctor should have do this or this be a simple option. People should have to at least talk to a therapist before any action is taken, but if it is their chose to end their life peacefully to avoid the pain of dieing from a untreatable sickness I think you should have that choice.
ReplyDelete-Cameron Alford
I believe if a person is suffering and is terminally ill, then it should be up to that person to decide if they want to leave this world or continue to suffer. I don't feel that what Dr.Kevorkian does for these patients is wrong.I do believe that a person has to be diagnosed to be terminally ill before it is done.I also believe that if it comes to taking their life they should be the one to administer the injection or what ever means they decide to choose.If they are not capable then a family member should do it. It is easy for us to say "no" it should be illegal or we shouldn't condone suicide, but until we have been there in their shoes and be able to feel the pain they are living with day after day, Who are we to say no.That to me is wrong. That person should have the right to decide for themselves, and not have society make the decision for them.Let the person dying and their family move on and be at peace.
ReplyDeleteI'm not for sure if I feel that this should be allowed. I totally agree on how this goes back to my faith as well. Only God can determine your death. It may not even be your time to go, I understand that the patient is suffering, but sometimes you just have to let things happen. On the other hand, I guess if that is what the patient wants to do then how can you stop them. Honestly I wouldn't let them cause I couldn't go through withe helping killing someone.
ReplyDeleteI believe that physician assisted suicide or "pulling the plug" should be allowed to the extent that it is the patient's choice. And then only if they have a deteriorating illness. In the case of a coma, it should be the family's choice, of course. I see nothing wrong with pulling the plug if it will keep that patient from suffering. When I was younger, my great aunt had cancer. It was so far spread that the doctor said she had no chance. The whole family discussed it and talked with her and ultimately decided to pull the plug. I believe it was a hard decision for everyone, but she just didn't want to suffer anymore. I also believe it was easier on my family to grieve and move on knowing that she was no longer in pain.
ReplyDeleteI honestly haven't seen that movie, but i have seen shows like it. I believe in certain situations a person should have the choice of ending their own life. Well really they have that choice anyways even if they don't get physician assisted. I believe the patient is in that much pain and has no change in getting better, why not? It would be harder for the families to watch a loved one suffer though the pain, then going in peace. It sure is a better way to remember someone. I say no one should have the choice if whether on not if its their time. Its only that persons and of course Gods. Anyone would say the same thing if they were the one suffering. I believe no one would be up for that.
ReplyDeleteJaimie Foutz
I think assisted suicide is a humane thing to do. I agree with the quote. I do think the person wanting the help needs to be prepared for their decision and the family should be prepared as well. The cost of medical bills accumilated trying to make the person more comfortable can be very stressful for the family. I don't think there is anything wrong with wanting end end the pain and suffering. I wouldn't even want that. With the advancedment in technology and medicine however there are more chances for recovery but until there is a recovery that is for sure, I think assicted suecide should be acceptable.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion assisted suicide should be allowed, only in a case by case bases. We as humans decide the life cycle of all other beings except for other humans. We are just animals ourselves so why should the rules be different. Because was can think and speak it's murder. So would argue that the "powerful" would abuse this, for their own gain. That is why I feel that if a medical board has to review each case, similar to a jury trial, that no one person can decide someone fate.
ReplyDeleteJB
In the past I have never felt that suicide is exceptable, I am sure that belief had something to do with my Catholic upbringing.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't until Hunter S. Thompson committed suicide that I really started thinking that someone could be in so much pain, even with the drugs, that the quality of life would not be worth living.
Although I do not believe I could ever commit suicide, I suppose I have to stick to my belief of letting others live or die as they please. So yes I do think physician-assisted suicide should be legal and it should be up to the physician to make that decision along with the patient and family.
I think physician-assisted suicide should be legal as long as the patient is the one that administers the lethal dose. Though I'm sure Dr. Kevorkian was only helping the one patient, I don't see that his administering the lethal dose as right. At the same time, though, I don't think he should have had to serve so many years in prison for doing so. Some people just don't want to live, even after having been through different types of help, so who is anyone to say whether or not those people can commit suicide. This way, they're doing it peacefully. Not all cases should be looked at the same, of course. I think there should be a process of which patients have to go through before they even get close to the actual assisted suicide... like serious therapy and possibly medication. There should also be written contracts signed for legal reasoning. I'm all about the moral responsibility of being human, but why should a person live in misery if he/she doesn't wish to? We can make our own life decisions... dying could be better than living with addiction and suffering... who knows. Each of us has our own ways of coping. Theirs is just a little more permanent.
ReplyDeleteKatt Lindemann
Well I am a firm believer that everyone should have the right to do with their lives as they please. I don't really know, personally, how I feel about the matter. I can remember clearly all the wind this got at the time. I remember being shocked, I remember praying at church about it, I remember being disgusted, and curious. Empathy? Would you really call this empathy, I don't think so. I think he probably chargeed these patience alot of money for this "procedure." Empathy would have been doing this procedure for free. If you were really doing it to heal the patient from their illness then I feel why gain from it. but it was his job. I think he was sitting at home one day thinking how he can be so original that people will have to come to me because i am the only one who does it. He was just trying to make the benjamins. He did that, he also got publicity, became a household name, and pretty much charged people to kill themselves, consequently, making millions, I am sure, off of convincing people to inject themselves. It's kinda disturbing that it even got to 130 actualy.
ReplyDeletei believe that physician-assisted should be allowed only in severe cases.if the person were in a coma that they were not going to wake up from, or it was highly unlikely they would, then i feel the family should be allowed to choose physician-assisted "suicide".i don't believe that someone who is still able to talk and make the choice to die should be allowed to choose death just because they want to go.if they're in severe pain that is agonizing, then maybe, but i don't believe people should just be allowed to choose when they go.if someone is basically a "vegetable" and would be dead without the machines they are attached to, then i believe it is acceptable to "pull the plug"
ReplyDeleteJaMarious Phillips
I believe that physician-assisted suicide should be legal with parameters. A lot of the facts surrounding the Dr. Kevorkian case are awfully morbid. I do however support "mercy killing" for those that choose it for themselves. I understand the concept that some people feel physician-assisted suicide is like "playing God," but in the same sense, hooking bodies up to machines to make them live would be too. I am all for freewill and a person's right to choose. Though I could never take my own life, it is not my decision to stop someone else from making that choice.
ReplyDeleteJenna Agness
I don't believe that suicide is so wrong, but being involved makes you an accomplice and, as in Kevorkians case, seems like more of a personal fascination than caring for others. I suppose is terminal cases that the patient serves no medical or educational purpose they could choose a death plan, but certainly with more than one person overseeing the procedure.
ReplyDeleteI really don't know what to say about this topic. If I had a uncureable illness the I would rather died now that than suffer but at the same time I might still be alive when a cure is found. What he is doing is murder and he should have never broadcasted it publicly. Kill in animals is murder and the death penalty is murder but the man thinks other wise in those other two cases and thats just how the world is. There is nothing we can do about it.
ReplyDelete