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Doctors in euthanasia case indicted over another death 10 years ago

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Hardly surprising, these kind of people that feel like gods and brag about being able to fool the law usually have a pattern of the same kind of actions in their past.

It is unfortunate that the actions of people like these pushed back decades of valid work of people that tirelessly are trying to pull Japan to modern times, where a dignified death is a human right.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Euthanasia should be legal and accepted. No one, no one has the right to deny you making a decision that only affects you. Your body, your choice. End of. There is no debate.

Individuals suffering with a fatal illness (and their family members watching them slowly die in pain) should have the right to end their own pain and misery.

Who wins by making them suffer until the very end? Seriously who? Exactly...

Denying euthanasia to someone is selfish and often heartless.

7 ( +11 / -4 )

Obviously the prosecutor has never experienced watching some die with Lou Gehrig's disease. Yes, I understand that euthanasia is against the law. But actually these doctors were doing the best for the patient. I hope nobody is put in the position to watch this disease take someone’s life.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

It is terrible when you have to watch someone close to you or even your parents die, they are in terrible pain, the drugs available no longer help and the doctors are not allowed to do anything. When your own mother asks you in excruciating pain not to suffer anymore. The government is playing God over the lives of its own citizens.

Passive euthanasia or active voluntary euthanasia should not be illegal. Or it should not be up to the government to decide.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

Euthanasia should not exist - period. Every man and woman is to pass away naturally. It is every man and woman universal right.

-11 ( +2 / -13 )

Many of the advanced , civilized countries and some American states have "death with dignity" laws, providing sufferers of terminal illnesses the option of physician assisted life termination.

This saves the victim and family much suffering and expense.

Prolonging suffering via intubation and ventilation is not humane medical care.

Japan should take note.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

The father was only 77 years old and under the care of a mental institution.

They willingly took him out and killed him the next day. No way could the father have been in the right state of mind to consider the gravity of this option and give consent.

Murderers!

-9 ( +2 / -11 )

My life, my choice. I’ll go when I’m ready. The government doesn’t own me (completely).

2 ( +2 / -0 )

It is the duty of the police to investigate any assisted death case as long as there is a law that forbids euthanasia, whether you agree with it or not. This old man had a mental condition. Just because his relatives felt he was better off dead does not give them the right to make that decision on his behalf.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

ALS is a hideous disease and people should have the right to die on their terms. I would hate to have to witness a family member whither away from this.

Ethically these MD's probably thought they were doing the right thing and it does appear that their patients did give consent.

Their problem is that they left a money trail and charged hefty sums for these services.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

mountainpear said;

"It is the duty of the police to investigate any assisted death case as long as there is a law that forbids euthanasia, whether you agree with it or not. This old man had a mental condition. Just because his relatives felt he was better off dead does not give them the right to make that decision on his behalf."

Relatives sometimes do have that right, I am 80 years old and mentally alert but have no guarantee of remaining that way. Just to be on the safe side, in case I become mentally incapacitated as I age further, both my daughter and grandson have been given Power of Attorney to insure that my DNR wishes are complied with. I opt for comfort care at the end rather than heroic measures that might bring me at best a few more days of misery.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

If the patient has been clinically dead for months or years on end and the doctor decides to turn off life support, then would that be considered euthanasia?

Personally, I don't think so, but some people might look at it that way. How do you, or when do you decide as a physician or a grieving family member that enough is enough and it's time to let go, especially if the patient is completely incapacitated?

Would a living will be helpful to patients in Japan in regard to ending care when there's zero hope of recovery?

I know many Japanese lawyers take the position that alive is alive as long as there's a heartbeat. They will argue that many doctors are anxious to get a hold of a patient's organs so they can engage in and conduct transplant operations. However, there should be some way to do what's best for the patient who's in the ICU and their grieving family members. If there's a chance of recovery, then by all means do everything possible. On the other hand, if it's just a roller-coaster ride to the bottom from one day to the next and it's hopeless, then the loved ones and physicians should decide what's best.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Oops! Correction: First sentence should say "clinically brain dead" . . . Sorry.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

AramaTaihenNoYouDidntJune 4  01:57 pm JST

Euthanasia should not exist - period. Every man and woman is to pass away naturally. It is every man and woman universal right.

Euthanasia is murder, no matter how you slice it. The Nazis used that label as an excuse to kill Jews and other 'undesirables'. Nobody has the right to play God. Nobody.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

@starpunk

Euthanasia is murder? Really?

So if I decide I want to die due to a fatal disease with the immense physical and phycological pain. If it is my choice how can it be murder?

As an evolved primate species, we should be able to make a decision about our death without any interference from other people's opinions, ancients myths or man made beliefs.

My body, my choice. If has NOTHING to do with anyone else.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

psychological pain - dam auto-correct

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

@Charlie Sommers. Your DNR order is not the same as this case. You are requesting to not be brought back from the dead. This case is about assisted suicide, euthanasia or possibly murder which are illegal in Japan.

@Danielsan Currently euthanasia is only permitted in Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Canada and Colombia. Physician assisted suicide is legal in the previously mentioned countries plus Switzerland and some U.S. states. So, no, not that many advanced and civilized countries allow euthanasia and assisted suicide.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

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