I couldn't find this thread anywhere so apologies if it already exists.

What's everyone's thoughts on the practice of euthanasia on a patient who asks for it? What about withholding life support for someone who is clearly not going to wake up?

Euthanasia isn't the right to die but whatever.

If there is a right to life, there is a right to death.

Prohibiting suicide is, essentially, the use of coercion to keep people alive.

if the people have not long to live anymore then if they want to do they should be helped to die.
if they have unbearable pain and it looks like it wont get better soon. they should be helped to die.
if they are heavy handicapped and have because of it a hard life. then if they want to the should be helped to die.

there probably are more reasons when it should be oke. but can't think of them now.

If the person is of sound mind, and if he wants to die, I think that's his choice. Should it be covered by insurance? no. But it's still a person's choice. If a person does ask for assisted suicide, then they should have a full psychological profile written up. Like the brain scans, etc.
If a person is severely mentally or physically handicapped, they should have the choice. If they are not able to make the choice, then it should be the choice of the next of kin. Simple as that.

person is of sound mind

Why would you discriminate against insane people, though? I think a person, regardless of whether he is insane or not, would be in a better position to judge if he wants to live than you.

There are schizophrenics, people with DID (multiple personalities), and stuff like that were it may not necessarily be the actual thoughts of that person. I'm not judging if someone can commence with assisted suicide, I'm talking psychological experts who are able to make those decisions.

There are schizophrenics, people with DID (multiple personalities), and stuff like that were it may not necessarily be the actual thoughts of that person. I'm not judging if someone can commence with assisted suicide, I'm talking psychological experts who are able to make those decisions.

I'm arguing the only person who should make the final decision is the person who wants to end his life, not some expert.

people with DID (multiple personalities),

In these cases, which one of them would be able to decide? Would it be put to a vote?

If they are not able to make the choice, then it should be the choice of the next of kin. Simple as that.

Even simpler: Don't take me off life support.

In my opinion though, you should have the right to Euthanasia as you're calling it. Forcing the person to live doesn't solve anything. The state of mind issue, however, I'm not sure. I would rather be not allowed to make that decision if I'm in a psycho, not-really-me mental disease. I'd rather be in full mental health to judge that properly.

It's their life, so why not? Although, I'm sure it is frowned upon in many cultures, if one isn't given the means to do it cleanly, and peacefully, I'm sure they'll eat a bullet instead or do something else that is a bit more depressing if they're that determined.

I wrote a whole speech on this in grade eight, funny.

my beliefs on suicide or assisted suicide is that it is the cowards way out

unless of course your definitely going to die anyway

or you are doing it for an unselfish reason because you know your death effects the people around you

It depends on the situation... if someone is perfectly healthy, I don't see a reason to assist a suicide. In the cases partydevil mentioned, it should be allowed.

How comes that when a cat or dog is going to die, you put them down, but when it's a human, medicine prescribes to keep them alive at all costs as long as possible, even if it's against their wish? It is imposing a will to live that not necessarily all possess anymore.

If a person's quality of life has stooped so low that life is significantly more painful than death, than they should have the option to end their pain. If people have no choice in the life they live, they should at least be able to die the way they want to die. People in this society take death so seriously, like life is some sacred right that nobody, not even the person, can end. If somebody wishes to die, I say let them. Their death is the end to their suffering, and nobody can choose for them if they should die or not.

As for the "cowards way out" remark, how can you make that decision for somebody? I respect those who wish to die because they have overcome their fear of death, and have accepted it as their final solution. Is it worth it? Most of the time it isn't, but that is not our choice to make for them. Their life, their death. That is how it should be.