According To Hemlock Society Euthanasia Is A Peaceful Way To End Human Life

By Ruthie Calderon


In 1980 an organization promoting the right-to-die for people with a terminal illness was founded. Currently called Compassion And Choices, it does not believe people should suffer. Rather, it promotes the goals of the hemlock society euthanasia being a peaceful death.

Not many people keep pets alive when they are in pain and there is nothing left but a lingering few days of pain. It is kind to assist them by providing a gentle method of dying. It is an act of love on the part of the pet parent. It only makes sense that this kindness should be extended to a beloved family member.

While hospice care may be excellent, it does not completely obliterate all the pain. Many physicians have an unspoken and unacknowledged agreement with the family to increase the pain medication to a level that will induce a peaceful ending to the pain. In this way a pointless period of a few days suffering will be allayed.

There are places in which medically assisted death is legalized. In the state of Oregon, for example, it is now legal. Some patients do not choose this method of dying with dignity, however. For religious or other reasons they want it to happen naturally. Of course, the wishes of these patients should always be respected. The patient who is ready to end his pain is also entitled to have his wishes respected.

If someone is not able to have this type of peaceful death, they may feel the only way is to commit suicide any way they can. It can only add to the grief their family is left with. All good memories will be overshadowed by the ugliness of a violent death. It may be a gunshot or leaping from a high building. How much better it is for it to be a peace method of ending life.

Just having the medication to end life is comfort enough. It allows the patient to feel in control of his life and his choices to continue it or end it. Often that option is not used, but simply provides the security of knowing it is available.

Lethal injection is one method of euthanasia used to provide an end to life for patients close to the end or those who suffer chronic pain that is not going to be alleviated. Drugs are administered orally, intravenously or intramuscularly. Some critically ill people are unable to swallow and therefore need the intramuscular or intravenous method. The fastest method is introducing three different medications through an IV.

When the patient is being kept breathing by artificial means, it is up to the relative named in the living will to direct the doctor to turn off the machines. The trusted relative will stand by to see that the final wishes are carried out. This living will is a legal document that is signed, witnessed and notarized.

A senior citizen or anyone else might want this viable document for their peace of mind. In case of an accident to a younger person, they will be sure not to be left alive in a vegetative state. They can legally refuse any lifesaving methods be administered. They can be sure that will not happen.

Palliative care only, is the choice of many people. The living will makes sure that is all that can legally be provided. Even the person named in the living will as administrator cannot override the wishes stated in the document.




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