Why is it ok to euthanize animals but not humans

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 18, 2006

For several decades, the U.S. suicide rate has clearly outnumbered the homicide rate. From this, I can conclusively determine that there are more suicides than homicides in America.

This may sound controversial or unrefreshingly blunt, but I will say it anyhow. People in this country seem to have been doing a damned good job of euthanizing themselves when outside parties have been unwilling to end life.

Undecided7 · Jan 18, 2006

I think people should have the right to die and I don't see any conflict with the God that I worship. There are lots of people in the world who believe in a God and will tell you that their beliefs are the RIGHT ones and so on. Don't even worry about that- we will all find out the truth in the end. Meanwhile, there are some options under the current laws:

If the person is oriented and can make decisions, they can terminate his/her own life. It's against the law too, but....you can't arrest a dead person. Also, a person could make a living will and refuse any basic treatment- including food, water, feeding tubes, antibiotics, heart medication, etc. It's important to discuss these wishes with family members and health care providers and put it in writing. Once the person can no longer make decisions- hopefully the ones around them love them enough to follow the wishes and deal with the loss by getting help from the living, not by keeping someone alive to suffer because of problems letting go.

Sis123 · Jan 18, 2006

"For several decades, the U.S. suicide rate has clearly outnumbered the homicide rate. From this, I can conclusively determine that there are more suicides than homicides in America."

This would be news to me. Cite, please?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 18, 2006

"For several decades, the U.S. suicide rate has clearly outnumbered the homicide rate. From this, I can conclusively determine that there are more suicides than homicides in America."
This would be news to me. Cite, please?

Read the link that I have now provided.

http://www.haciendapub.com/stolinsky1.html

Edit: adding a new one: http://www.uthouston.edu/HLEADER/archive/mentalhealth/011217/

admorn03 · Jan 18, 2006

Thanks undediced7 good point. I have found in my three years that family is allowed to override the living will wishes of a patient.

This really disturbed me. My thought that I brought to my charge nurse is why even have a living will if family is allowed to override it?

Thank you for your input.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 18, 2006

"For several decades, the U.S. suicide rate has clearly outnumbered the homicide rate. From this, I can conclusively determine that there are more suicides than homicides in America."
This would be news to me. Cite, please?

Below is another source that clearly states suicide as the 11th leading cause of death in America, whereas homicide is the 14th leading cause of death in America.

I know whereof I speak.

http://www.uthouston.edu/HLEADER/archive/mentalhealth/011217/

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Jan 18, 2006

We are kinder to our animals than we are to our fellow human beings when it comes to pain and suffering issues.

However.........my personal belief is that there is a difference, because humans are generally considered to be more valuable than animals. We have intelligence and the ability to form societies, whereas animals do not; we also can exercise reason and free will, whereas animals cannot. And yes, the great majority of cultures share a belief in a Supreme Being (or Beings), who is known by many different names but is generally regarded as the ultimate authority over the earth and its creatures.

In our culture, this Being is most often called God, and He is reputed to have given us ten commandments.......one of which forbids the taking of human life. To those of us who take this literally, there is no confusion about what that means: God said that we are not to kill. Period. That means we don't shoot our neighbor when his stereo is still blaring at 4:00 AM, we don't head for the abortion clinic when there's an unexpected pregnancy, and we don't give our loved ones an overdose of barbiturates..........even when it's clear that they are suffering and dying.

There are a million and one different ways to ease suffering, and it is our duty, as nurses and as human beings, to use them. I can certainly understand why "putting someone to sleep" would seem like the compassionate thing to do; I've seen terrible suffering, and I know I wouldn't want to go through that or see someone I love go through it. But---and I speak only of my own beliefs---I do not have the right to decide when another person should leave this earth. I also don't have the right to judge others who, for one reason or another, feel they cannot go on or watch someone they love suffer. (This is why I was glad to hear that the Supreme Court upheld Oregon's assisted suicide law......I don't think the federal government should interfere with an individual state's laws, even if I disagree with them. I voted against the so-called physician-assisted suicide legislation twice, but it's the law of the land in Oregon and I will defend it against the Bush administration until Judgment Trump if need be.)

To the OP: sorry about the 'bible lesson', but in our culture faith is so intertwined with issues of morality that there's no way this topic can be discussed without mention of religious or spiritual belief. You've opened quite a can of worms here, and while there's nothing wrong with healthy debate, I'd hate to see this thread become a battleground, so please understand that references to God, mortal sin, the Bible, and so on are inevitable. Thank you.

LeahJet, ASN, RN · Jan 18, 2006

Is suicide truly against the law? And if so, can we have the many ~attempts and gestures~ arrested for attempted murder?

Just a thought.

danu3 · Jan 18, 2006

Many times, there is a third opiton - hospice care. Now the question is why are there no hospice care for animals?

leslie :-D · Jan 18, 2006

Many times, there is a third opiton - hospice care. Now the question is why are there no hospice care for animals?

i'm not aware of any hospice benefit for animals, are you?

and personally speaking, i have no problem w/euthanizing an animal when terminal and suffering. i suppose they (vets) could control the pain until the animal dies, but that would be up to the owner and their financial resources. regardless of the rationales, i find it a most merciful act.

leslie

mom23RN · Jan 18, 2006

I had a really hard time when my elderly aunt (97) was in the hospital, dying last winter. It was so hard to watch her suffer and know that there was nothing we could do excpet keep her comfortable until the end.

I really believe that we don't have to allow our loved ones to "suffer" at least. They need to be medicated until they are free from pain. If the side effect of the medication is that they die, then so be it, but I don't think anyone should have to be in pain in their dying days.