Posted by JenStar on October 6, 2005, at 11:41:18
In reply to Re: Suicide groups on the net » TofuEmmy, posted by Deneb on October 5, 2005, at 19:27:47
Deneb,
Assisted suicide for terminally ill patients living in excruciating physical pain is a very different issue from preventing suicide in people who are doing it because they are mentally ill, people who othewise could go on to live a happy and productive life. Iknow there's a line that separates the two categories, and I'm sure in some special cases the boundary could become blurred, but in GENERAL there is a huge chasm between the two groups.
I think it's pretty obvious which kind of suicide is discussed here, by you and others. It's not the terminally ill kind; it's the kind that is best prevented so that a person can go on to lead a fulfilling life. It's the kind that would be a tragedy for those left behind.
Do you see this difference, too? To you, is there a difference?
I believe it's possible to be a good, morally strong, trustworthy and caring physician who helps prevent suicide in the general masses AND also believes in the "right to die" for terminally ill people who suffer from chronic non-treatable pain.
What do you think about this?
JenStar
poster:JenStar
thread:563294
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20050823/msgs/563660.html