I have the right to choose to die!

[joofei]

Then is it the doctor the killer since he has the ability to save the patient's life?

[henry_yew]

If anyone is to be labelled the killer then it ought to be the jury in the court which issued the verdict to have the feeding tube removed.

But in such circumstances, we can't label it as killing. Terri was, after all, brain-dead.

[razor]

Originally Posted by joofei

Then is it the doctor the killer since he has the ability to save the patient's life?

Well, all doctors have an occupational, not to mention social obligation to save their patient's life with all their skills and knowledge.

However, if a point is reached whereby the medical condition of a patient has reached a dead end or the patient can only live by life support, prolonging the patient's life will only matter to the patient himself if he can indulge in the benefit of life. In other words, he can only enjoy the satisfaction of a life only if he's conscious.

To the family, of course it is comforting to know that the person they dear is still alive although unconscious. Analytically speaking, if a person is announced brain dead, there is no chance for him to be revived but for a miracle.

I'm very confident that the doctors endorsed by the MMC are academically capable of saving a patient's life with all his will. In an episode of Grey's Anatomy, an intern (George O'Malley) is completely sure that the patient brought in by the rescue team cannot be resuscitated. However, his resident (Miranda Bailey) insists on him performing the standard procedure to resuscitate the patient although she herself knows that there's just no chance for the poor guy. In the end, she told him that doctors must do whatever it takes before giving up. All patient deserve healthcare.

Nowadays, the DNR form endorsed does not serve its initial purpose to allow euthanasia (mercy killing) should the person has reached a point of no return. It has rather been misused by people who cannot endure further pain and want to give up. We can't really blame them for their inability to withstand suffering. After all, only those who feel it know how much it hurts...

[youngyew]

Originally Posted by razor

Nowadays, the DNR form endorsed does not serve its initial purpose to allow euthanasia (mercy killing) should the person has reached a point of no return. It has rather been misused by people who cannot endure further pain and want to give up. We can't really blame them for their inability to withstand suffering. After all, only those who feel it know how much it hurts...

Eh? In Australia DNR is totally different from enthanasia and assisted killing. Signing DNR doesn't mean having euthanasia or assisted killing. It's just that - do not resuscitate (in the event of death / dying).

[vikraman]

In principle DNR is different from euthanasia and assisted suicide. As youngyew said, DNR is basically that Do Not Resuscitate in when the patient has a code blue and his/her heart stops. Euthanasia on the other hand is when a patient who's heart is beating has his/her heart stopped by active inteference. See the difference?

[joofei]

How if I have a terminal illness and I wish to die? For example(not to compare human with animal, just an example), like we watch in dramas or movies, some dogs with illness will be injected to death? Which country allows us to do that?

[youngyew]

That's called euthanasia. It's illegal in most countries including Malaysia. It's commonly done in animals though.

[joofei]

But I think it should be made legal... well... of course depends on the situation... I mean, if I know that I'm going to suffer so much pain and nothing can cure me... why not die rather than wasting money to something that can't cure me? The money saved can be used for other means such as my children's education...

[henry_yew]

Well, if you're suffering from a terminal illness which cannot be cured, you could refuse treatment. Ultimately, you would die, too, but perhaps in much pain and suffering.

Of course, the idea of euthanasia is to put an end to someone's life without any pain or suffering. However, that is not likely to be legalised in Malaysia.

[Al-Bert]

There are 2 things i'm wondering about:

1) Is signing up the organ donation card equivalent or almost similar to signing up DNR?

2) Brain dead equals to death?