crime

2 doctors indicted over consensual killing of terminal ALS patient

28 Comments

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those with terminal illnesses have the right to determine their own fate

Completely agree with this statement

20 ( +21 / -1 )

We should all have the right to determine our own fate. I feel sorry for the doctors, it should not be a crime.

3 ( +10 / -7 )

Gray area... clear boundaries on the line need to be drawn

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Very sad.

Only those who are needlessly suffering have the right to end their lives on their own terms and with dignity.

NOT some religious fanatic who think they speak for all people.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

I have every sympathy for the poor woman, but none whatsoever for the doctors in this case. They have very clearly broken the law, not in attempt to help the victim but to make a quick buck. 1.3 million yen for an afternoon's work? Not bad.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

My father died from ALS last year. It's a disease that's faster than cancer and worse than cancer. There's no treatment. No cure. Week by week, a person with ALS loses one ability after the other, until your reduced to less than nothing. Because at least when you're nothing, you don't know it. I wish no one to ever have to watch this terrible disease or have to endure it. Understand the symptoms to know it is hell. Hell. Those two doctors are heroes. It doesn't bother me they were paid. It doesn't bother me their motives. To me, they are heroes. If you don't know ALS, you can't understand.

15 ( +17 / -2 )

@James

Sorry for your loss. Totally in agreement here. I hope before my time comes I will be able to make arrangements to avoid this kind of situation.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

I hope before my time comes I will be able to make arrangements to avoid this kind of situation.

there was this nhk documentary shown last year that tracked very closely the path a japanese woman took to travel to switzerland to end her life there. it was very touching and emotional to see her sisters bidding final farewell to her. her sisters travelled there to be with her until the end.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I have seen similar from Europe. The writer Terry Pratchett made a documentary as he was suffering and wanted to change the law. It was heart breaking but honest, followed some stories to the point where one man took his own life on camera. I was sobbing

there was this nhk documentary shown last year that tracked very closely the path a japanese woman took to travel to switzerland to end her life there. it was very touching and emotional to see her sisters bidding final farewell to her. her sisters travelled there to be with her until the end.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Gray area... clear boundaries on the line need to be drawn

Who draws the lines? How about the people actually suffering, not some weak politician who has no idea how real people survive or otherwise. Ask the public. Apparently the public in Japan are quite keen on the death sentence for crimes, how about this situation?

5 ( +6 / -1 )

It is a dilemma... on one hand she should have the right to end her life, on the other hand making euthanasia a standard procedure is a terrible path.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

They did the lady a favor. They should let them go. ALS is something I wouldn't wish even to my worst enemy.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

When this first hit the news, many considered the sum paid as the biggest factor with which to judge the doctors, though it's a paltry sum considering the risks.

To me the fact that they know it's illegal and chances are they would be stripped of their licenses and jailed for a long time, not to mention it's impact on their family and personal lives, that's a mostt telling factor.

Of course, if they did it thinking they could get away with it, it would be totally different

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I support the right to die, but In this case I am leaning more towards the prosecutors side for several reasons but the main one is the fact that they left the apt. right after they gave her the drug, and the way $$ was handled. I feel sorry for the lady and the fact that NO one was beside her when she passed away, very SAD.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

those with terminal illnesses have the right to determine their own fate

100%

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Dr. Kevorkian has arrived here in Japan. I hope society, not the judge hears them out, and then judge.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Consensual killing?

Doctor-assisted suicide is its proper name.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Human society is so interesting if not totally sanctimonious. My dog was sufferring from a disease and instead of making her suffer through it, the vet quickly and quietly put her to sleep. I got to hold her in my arms. Sad but comforting too.

I wonder how the prosecutors would feel if they were the ones with ALS? To make doctors,family and friends watch as an ALS patient slowly dies from torture is inhumane. We don't even treat our pets this way.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Why the prosecutors?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The worst possible way for someone to do a "good" action. Probably right now all the activist and patients that have worked for many years to solve the situation are going into deep desperation. Two self centered doctors flaunting that they can avoid the law with ease choose to make a profit with an irresponsible procedure.

Now the whole issue is going back to the dark ages, and will be perceived by society as a crime done by irresponsible people that took advantage of a patient in need only to fulfill their desires for power. I will not be surprised if the laws now become more draconian and patients are left with even less options.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

This is still wrong. If someone is suffering from depression and says he/she wants to die, are you going to do euthanasia on them?

In America we had 'Dr. Death' Jack Kervorkian and like these two he served time for murder. And that's just what it is.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Yes, it simply is murder, whatever anyone might feel or think about it.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

In this situation we are drawn between the Law of the Land, and the Natural care a Doctor can provide - a fine balance between need and emotion.

Perhaps drinking a bottle of Whisky followed by a bottle of bleach would have been better ? Though clearly it'd have been more observable painful.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

FYI... if you suspect anyone having consumed any bleach, force them to drink an alkaline solution such as Milk... lots of it.

https://science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/what-if/what-if-drink-bleach.htm

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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