X-Message-Number: 33407
From: marta sandberg <>
Subject: Passive and active euthanasia
Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2011 15:49:11 +0800

--_36afbe0d-ff3c-4994-ae17-90f4fe2dfa8f_



There has been some discussion about euthanasia and assisted suicide on CryoNet 
lately.
 
This is what I learned when I researched the subject.  
 

If US law is similar to Australian law, then we have to remember that there are 
two distinct type of euthanasia.  Passive euthanasia means not doing anything to
stay alive whilst active euthanasia means doing something to die.  The end 
result is the same, but the legal implications aren't.
 

I can disconnect myself form life support equipment whilst knowing it will kill 
me; refuse dialysis and let my body's poison kill me; I can refuse to take 
insulin even if that is the only thing that keep me alive; I can even refuse to 
drink or eat even when I am perfectly healthy until I thirst to death.  All of 
this is OK as long as I know what I am doing and I am of a sound mind.  If 
anyone tries to stop me - inject me with insulin or force feed me - then I can 
call on the police and they must protect me from those who wants to keep me 
alive.
 
All of this is passive euthanasia.
 

On the other hand taking a deadly drug, hanging myself or slitting my wrists are
all considered active euthanasia.  It's illegal in most places.
 

The distinction does not make much practical or philosophical sense, but it has 
enormous practical implications.  As most people aren't connected to life 
support equipment nor need a drug to keep alive, their only option is to refuse 
food and drink.  In other words, they will thirst to death.
 

I saw my husband do it and I may well be forced down that path myself.  It is 
not something I look forward to.
 

So far a small group of hardliners are blocking legislation enabling active 
euthanasia in all except a few places.  This forces people to die in cruel and 
horrid ways.
 

Let us hope that their resistance is soon worn down.  After all, passive 
euthanasia was not legal until about half a century ago.  Before then, anyone 
who tried to refuse medical treatment that would keep them alive was 
automatically deemed of unsound mind (as they were trying to commit suicide), 
declared a ward of the state and the treatment forcibly administered to them.
 
Long life,
 
Marta
  		 	   		  
--_36afbe0d-ff3c-4994-ae17-90f4fe2dfa8f_

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