h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Of course, this topic is occasionally tackled in film and other forms of media. Two such examples spring instantly to mind: the film "Johnny's Got His Gun"; and the play, "Whose Life is It Anyway?".

"Johnny's Got His Gun" tells the story of an American World War II soldier (I believe -- it's been a while since I've seen it) who is severely injured in an explosion. This leaves him without the ability to see, hear or speak, and his limbs are rendered useless. In effect, he is a corpse lying in a military hospital bed, under constant observation and kept alive by various machines. The soldier is conscious, but he has no contact with the outside world; alone in his own head, and slowly descending into madness.

Finally, he gets the idea to get a message out to his observers: by jerking his head, he is able to spell out a message in Morse code. Several military officers are brought in to give their views, and one of them finally points out that he is trying to give a simple message: "Kill me".

However, the decision on whether to do so is disputed. One General claims that the soldier is the property of the US government, and will remain so, hence he must not be harmed further. Finally, it is the silent, dutiful nurse who cannot take it any more, and turns off the machinery, pushing the air out of his lungs. As the doctors realise what has happened, and that they are too late to save the soldier, the nurse is overcome with grief and starts to cry.

"Whose Life is it Anyway?" is a play about a young man who is bed-ridden with a debilitating disease (I can't remember which). Stuck in a hospital bed, he is able to speak, but otherwise considers himself useless. He is an extremely intelligent man, leading him to think things through, and he has a morbid understanding of the implications of his illness. This, in turn, causes him to lash out at his peers, not out of nastiness, but frustration.

He makes the considered decision that he would like to terminate his life, owing to the fact that he is otherwise useless. His treating doctors dispute this, to the point where they flat-out deny his request.

The final decision is eventually made in a makeshift court hearing. The young man's lawyer argues a case of "habeas corpus"; a little-known law that asks the distinction of who owns the body ("corpus"). It is determined that the young man is of sound mind, and the court hands down its decision that he has the right -- under the circumstances -- to voluntarily euthanise himself.

The play ends with the life-support machines being switched off. There is a long moment of silence, and then the lights are turned off.

I'm sure there are countless other examples in the media and entertainment that deal with the issue of euthanasia. I daresay that many don't laud the idea in the way that "Johnny's Got His Gun" or "Whose Life is it Anyway?" do -- indeed, probably oppose it vehemently.

"Soft Fruit" ( my favorite)is an excellant movie about physical illness and suicide.
"The Wedding" is heavier one about physical illness.
"Sophies Choice" -ends in a suicide of a severe mentally ill person.

I had two others in mind,now forget them!

There's been a few songs that deal with the issue as well.
"one" by Metalica is actually roughly based on Johnny Got His Gun- the hauntingly simple guitars at the start depict the uselessness of the situation, whereas the hugely crunching riffs at the end show the frustration and anger at being left as "a war-time novelty".
And, strangely enough, "one" by U2 is apparently about a man dying of AIDS talking to his father about ending his own life.
Music has the power to show so much emotion, and it's a great way of getting a message across to people who would never have thought about a certain subject. More awareness can only breed more understanding, which one day may lead to a conclusion to this very emotive issue.
EncyBass

How do you think I got to know about "Johnny Got His Gun" in the first place?

Interesting theory about U2's "One" by the way. I've never actually heard that theory before, and I can't say that I see it. I always attributed the song to being about a relationship gone bad. But hey, the best thing about music is that it's about each person's unique interpretation -- that's what matters.

Seriously, it's mentioned on the "Best of 1990-2000" DVD. Check it out!

"One" is still the most disturbing and thought-provoking song that the band have ever produced. Despite the fact that the song is now quite old I still find it almost too traumatic to watch as the terrible reality of the soldier is what must be one of the most hellish fates imaginable tot he human mind.