As a `disabled' person, I am the odd one out wrt my support for the right to euthanasia, though I grant the seriousness of the `slippery slope' concerns expressed by the disabled generally.

I suspect that only some `euthansia' makes the news. There are many people in the US today who are enduring pain, sometimes rising to agonizing levels, that COULD be treated but they cannot access health or dental care. I am suggesting that a heck of a lot of `suicides' may really be lesser recognized, but `legitimate', euthanasia'or self deliverance. My own disability for instance, could have been avoided or greatly mitigated but for lack of access to appropriate health care. I have much company in thi...

As a `disabled' person, I am the odd one out wrt my support for the right to euthanasia, though I grant the seriousness of the `slippery slope' concerns expressed by the disabled generally.

I suspect that only some `euthansia' makes the news. There are many people in the US today who are enduring pain, sometimes rising to agonizing levels, that COULD be treated but they cannot access health or dental care. I am suggesting that a heck of a lot of `suicides' may really be lesser recognized, but `legitimate', euthanasia'or self deliverance. My own disability for instance, could have been avoided or greatly mitigated but for lack of access to appropriate health care. I have much company in this regard. So, I'd take it a step further and extend the right to those who COULD be helped, but WON'T be. I think that'd open up access a lot, albeit in a backwards way.

Secondly, while I too have made the point that it is considered an act of mercy to euthanize your pet, but not aunt susan or yourself, and that the lack of self consistency illustrates the illogic being applied.

However, the majority of animals in the US are not cherished pets, but are literally enslaved in agricultural settings, research facilities and the like. A heck of a lot of `pets' are treated horridly, and those who are cherished and permanently housed in a loving home are NOT representative of the `rights' generally accorded to animals.

Finally, I think religious beliefs (even when not recognized as the origin of law) are exactly what we are talking about with all of these issues.

Who has the `right' to live, die, suffer or not, has- due to the religious roots of much of our laws, has been exposed as grossly hypocritical.

Euthanasia of people would seem the right thing to do, if for the reason of ending perpetual suffering. What I fear is, who gets to decide when and if? What if rich Aunt Susan is left a 'vegetable' after a car accident? Should the relatives be allowed to decide and how can one be sure of their motives? I also fear, that some handicapped people or people who need constant care at some 'expensive' facility or the elderly for example could choose euthanasia just for the sole reason, of not wanting to be a burden on their families. I dunno... the motives for euthanizing a sick pet are rarely, if ever, for monetary reasons, but can we sure the same non-selfish motives would apply when it comes to...

Euthanasia of people would seem the right thing to do, if for the reason of ending perpetual suffering. What I fear is, who gets to decide when and if? What if rich Aunt Susan is left a 'vegetable' after a car accident? Should the relatives be allowed to decide and how can one be sure of their motives? I also fear, that some handicapped people or people who need constant care at some 'expensive' facility or the elderly for example could choose euthanasia just for the sole reason, of not wanting to be a burden on their families. I dunno... the motives for euthanizing a sick pet are rarely, if ever, for monetary reasons, but can we sure the same non-selfish motives would apply when it comes to people? I wouldn't want a world either, where the disabled or sick felt compelled to do away with themselves for the sole reason of pleasing their heirs or families.

Maybe we don't 'need' euthanasia. We humans do after all already have the option to commit suicide... something pets and other animals don't have.