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Comment by akie | Hacker News Reader

Why would you think it's preferable to withhold medical services from someone who explicitly requested it, is sound of mind, has unbearable suffering (again, confirmed by two independent doctors whose actions are from the outset considered a criminal offence unless proven otherwise), and where there is no long term improvement possible? Why do you want to withhold medical services in that situation?

I read your argument and it seems like you're not actually considering the point of view from the woman who no longer wants to live.

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Because "medical services" is an euphemism for killing, in this case.

You can read my other replies for more context, but what I see as a problem here is that all this will normalise death. By enabling it, we're one step closer of people resorting to this more easily, and having people that could recover just giving up early.

And yes, my stance is biased, I don't trust doctors that much.

But... it's not killing. Words matter. It's asking someone to help you die. And the doctors who help you are guilty by default, until proven innocent.

No one healthy and of sound mind will choose to die. It isn't called "survival instinct" for nothing. This will not normalise death, it will not become a fad to die just because it's easy to do so. Despite the US having a very widely available and quick way to commit suicide (guns), the suicide rate in the US is not so much higher than in Germany - where it's more difficult to obtain guns.

I think legalising euthanasia is an act of love. It prevents unnecessary suffering for those who suffer the most, but only if those who suffer explicitly request it and under extremely strict regulations - like they do in the Netherlands.

I think your position about this is typical, but it's also (I think) primarily reasoned from the perspective of society, and not from the perspective of someone who is suffering.

>this will normalise death

Death is normal. You are going to die. I am going to die. We are all going to die.

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