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Path: utzoo!linus!security!genrad!decvax!harpo!eagle!mhuxl!houxm!houxl!braddy
From: braddy@houxl.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.suicide
Subject: Re: The right to commit suicide
Message-ID: <136@houxl.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 7-Nov-83 10:53:28 EST
Article-I.D.: houxl.136
Posted: Mon Nov  7 10:53:28 1983
Date-Received: Tue, 8-Nov-83 23:01:05 EST
References: <342@dartvax.UUCP>
Organization: Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ
Lines: 17

About the doctor who had siamese twins joined so that they could not survive
(I am assuming he was *sure* of this) and wanted to let them die:

Had this happened to any  "lower" species animal, I think there would be
little question about killing them right away (by lethal injection (?))
and minimizing the pain for everyone.

Apparently, tho, when we humans are involved, such a
direct approach to euthanasia and suicide is controversial (at best)
and considered hideous sin by some.

Society should support its own members in situations like these;
if the person clearly decides on a course of action, why should
we make it difficult for them?  E.g., Why must the paralyzed person who
decides to die have to pry the lid off sleeping pills with their teeth?

David Braddy..