X-Message-Number: 8382 Date: 16 Jul 97 19:29:24 EDT From: "Stephen W. Bridge" <> Subject: Euthanasia To CryoNet From Steve Bridge July 16, 1997 In reply to: Message #8367 Date: Sat, 12 Jul 1997 08:49:15 -0700 (PDT) From: Doug Skrecky <> Subject: Compelling Reasons to Oppose Legalized Euthanasia >Compelling Reasons to Oppose Legalized Euthanasia >_________________________________________________ >1. EUTHANASIA IS MURDER. and so forth. Part of the problem here is a failure of the press and public to even agree on a term. *I* am opposed to "euthanasia", which I define as "termination of the life of a seriously or terminally ill individual *without the individual's permission*." I am in favor of "assisted suicide", which implies that the individuals are making their own decisions, but which require the assistance of others. Unfortunately, too many people confuse these two concepts. Every one of the reasons given in the flier Doug found were specific to *involuntary* death for the terminally ill and I agree with them. However, the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision was about "assisted suicide," NOT about "euthanasia." By the way, I do not necessarily believe the decision was bad for *cryonics* purposes. In reading the full text of the decisions (I'm not done yet), it seems possible that a radical medical treatment aiming to *preserve* the life of the individual rather than to end it, might well be allowed by the Court -- as long as it was not presented as assisted suicide. We've been trying to piggyback on a concept we didn't really believe (that pre-mortem suspension was the same as assisted suicide) for the convenience it would give us. Maybe it is now time to stand up for what we REALLY believe -- that people should be allowed to try any treatment or method (that they can afford) to give themselves a chance at life. Steve Bridge Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=8382