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From: J..P..Beland@f234.n163.z1.fidonet.org (J. P. Beland)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Euthanasia
Message-ID: <15724@handicap.news>
Date: 16 May 91 19:39:06 GMT
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In a message to Earl Appleby <05-11-91 18:43> Joe Chamberlain wrote:
JC->        I believe euthanasia is a viable option for every
JC->citizen
JC->to consider.  We put an injured dog out of the pain.
JC->Humans
JC->deserve the same right.

Hi! Joe,
I was looking into my Webster's dictionary for the definition of euthanasia,
and I found the following:
Euthanasia: [L., from Gr. euthanasia, a painless, happy death; eu-, well,
and thanatos, death]
1- an easy and painless death; a peaceful manner of dying.

2-act or method of causing death painlessly, so as to end suffering;
advocated by some as a way to deal with victims of incurable diseases

They put horses to death because once the horse was injured it was useless
and people in pioneer time did not want to feed a non-working horse.  I
don't know if they killed other animals except in movies.  But I am aware
of dogs that were not killed to relieve their suffering too early but left
to live out their lives.
I cannot be for euthanasia as when will it be practiced?  I am already
suffering from an incurable disease and suffering at times in different
degrees.  If they use the definition as quoted above, somebody could put me
to sleep tonight and be right about it.  But I am not ready to leave.

But if we are speaking of not doing any extra-ordinary procedure to keep me
alive, then I am for that when the time comes and I am old enough.
But it is difficult to tell when that might be.  I assume that I will know
when it is time. I have discussed it only with my wife at this time as I
believe I can trust her at when it is the appropriate time.

I have been close and attending three persons that have died, and I never
wished to end it for them at any time.   I do not regret the time used to be
with them in their final hour and believe that I have gained from the
experience even though there was some suffering on my part at that time of
not being able to do more.
I don't think that anyone should have the right to kill anyone.
cheers, J.P.

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