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

"why can't you just visit the front page?"

I have absolutely no idea what to reply to that...

B

"get talking point and new edited guide entries announcments pages which can be subscribed to"

That IS a good idea!

Wherever that talking point page is I told how many people that get the RX for suicide in Oregon actually go through with taking it. I believe it was about half. Many went naturally with that as a back-up plan. Darn, wish I had time to find the link. I will try to look later on

It's a tricky question. I am a veterinary surgeon and although I am in favour of euthanasia, my experience with animals does give me a different perspective on the issue.

First of all, try and define the 'terminally ill patient'. What does this mean? How do we KNOW some one is definitely going to die within a few weeks and will not recover or will not be able to enjoy his or her life in those few weeks. Do be able to know this means having the ability to predict the future. As far as I know, no one possesses this ability! I have seen miraculous recoveries when I thought a cat or dog was on his lasts legs and sure to die.

It is not because someone wants to die today that that same person will want to die tomorrow. Perhaps animals are a bit priviledged here as they don' think about the future. They are happy in the present - or not.

It is hard enough to euth. a cat or dog. I'm not sure if i'd want to be the doctor who has to put a human patient to sleep

Part of the answer to qualming some peoples fears about euthanasia and assisted suicides could be the *Living Will* aspect of this issue isnt it as easy to stipulate in a living will that you want everything possible done to cure and resuscitate in the event of a severe illlness that robs you of your faculties. This not only does a lot to make everyone see what the patients want it also lifts the burden of choice off your loved ones at a time when they will be under severe pressure anyway.

This ins't how living wills would tend to be used.

generally, people don't make a living will (as in most places it has no legal basis). those few who do usually do it to address specific issues (premature burial, pesistant vegatative state, certain aspects of brain injury).

They tend to use the living will to tell their doctors and relatives when to stop trying (ie when to invoke DNR).

F103503?thread=257123

the talking point thread

i think sir mort you have missed the point.

when this talking point arrived, it was only findable via the front page, which as I was extremely busy at the time I missed.

if you didn't find it before the next talking point was posted, you didn't find out about it.

by having an announcment page for talking points, like the h2g2 announcements page, you can subscribe, and then go and visit one if it is of interest.

No, i did but i posted the link in response to post 43, (just a bit late )

I didnt visit the front page for months as i thought it was just an introduction type page and will have missed out on heaps of stuff.

Mort