A person's right to die

[bluefairy]

So we euthanize our pets when they are sick and dying, yet we have a hard time bringing ourselves to euthanize our family members that are suffering. And when we do it's a slow inhumane process by removing the feeding tube if they happen to use one. People can't even euthanize themselves, why is it really illegal for a person to commit suicide in the first place? If it's their life, and they no longer want to live it I say let them do what they want. I know it probably stems from the whole "saving the soul" theory and that killing yourself is supposidly a one way ticket to hell, but if it's only affecting that person...I don't think it should matter.

Euthanasia debate, woman takes matters into her own hands

[Aurora]

Well, there is one more (secular) consideration in outlawing suicide, which is that a person may wish to die in a temporary fit of depression. In that case if you forbid a person to commit suicide and treat them psychologically it's possible that they could recover and be glad that they weren't allowed to commit suicide. That said, this case clearly doesn't fit that kind of description - she seems to be perfectly capable of making an informed decision and her condition is incurable. In that case, I don't see a good argument for not allowing her to die in whatever way she chooses.

[xkenshinx]

Suicide is painless. I don't see anything wrong whatsoever with ending your life to prevent useless pain from cancer, etc. Assuming the person isn't some angsty depressed teen who just had his/her heart broken.