State Ordered Euthanasia

[Don Corleone]

http://www.vancouversun.com/health/C...482/story.html

I'll hold off on my editorial stance until later. I'd prefer to cede the floor to others first.

But I am curious, and ask participants of each side to explain:

Pro-government ordered euthanasia: What common good is the state seeking in ordering the death of the child? I find the statements on risk of long-term infection in particularly poor taste and shows depraved indifference to the feelings of the parents, given that the removal of the breathing tube will result in almost certain death within the span of an hour.

Pro-parental-supremacy: Do parents (not necessarily here in the particular, but in the general sense) have absolute authority over the health care decisions of their children (ability and willingness to pay assumed)? If the decision of the parent could only possibly result in the prolonged physical suffering of a being no longer with any hope of improvement, should they still have the right to continue to inflict this suffering on their child? Isn't this the height of selfishness?

I'm genuinely curious about all viewpoints on this. Bonus points for making your case without attacking the other side. Extra bonus points for employing humor instead of vitriol.

[Sasaki Kojiro]

The first thing that strikes me is that it wasn't long ago that most families had a small child or baby die, or even several, and often the mother. I can't quite comprehend how they dealt with that.

[Strike For The South]

http://www.vancouversun.com/health/C...482/story.html

I'll hold off on my editorial stance until later. I'd prefer to cede the floor to others first.

But I am curious, and ask participants of each side to explain:

Pro-government ordered euthanasia: What common good is the state seeking in ordering the death of the child? I find the statements on risk of long-term infection in particularly poor taste and shows depraved indifference to the feelings of the parents, given that the removal of the breathing tube will result in almost death within the span of an hour.

.

I can only assume the state wants to make sure the death is humane and don't feel as if the parents can adequatley accomadate such a request, granted the article does not go on more than informing but if the baby will be dead within the hour with the removal of the tube is that is even enough time to get the child home before he succumbs?

I find the fact the government can so wontonly order something like this unsettleing and alarming but at the same time I can't necesarily see where the government gains with a decison such as this. They must know the kind of pub this will entail and I can't necesarily see it starting some sort of precedent.

Clearly this is gut wrenching and it is not an easy decison to make but one must acknoweldge the limited gains the government stands to make added with the childs inability to survive upwards of an hour on his own as a sign they are making the best possible decison

The parents on the other hand are just that and are no doubt blinded by that fact (as they should be)

As an aside, when I was born I was given my last rites twice and was pretty much condsidered dead, my mother elected to keep me in the hospital to die there. My Grandmother that night tried to break into the hospital and take me home where I would die surronded by my family

The only reason I say this is because my Grandmother spent the first 55 years of here life in Rural Italy and that played a huge role in her decison to break into a hospital. I can't help but think there may be a cultural disconnect here

This is tough Don, I hate the fact I'm leaning toward the government on this because its nasty buisness. its reasons like this why I have emergencey whiskey
]

[Don Corleone]

Strike,

I think you misunderstood my question. It presupposes a belief in limited government, that the state should only act in ways in which they are demonstrably pursuing a clear common good. But fascinating story all the same...

Sasaki,
A hell beyond imagination I pray multiple times every day I'm never subjected to. I regard outliving one's offspring to be a fate far, far worse than death.

[Strike For The South]

Strike,

I think you misunderstood my question. It presupposes a belief in limited government, that the state should only act in ways in which they are demonstrably pursuing a clear common good. But fascinating story all the same...
.

heh, I think we're far past that point in all facets of government. But The state is acting in the common good in the sense that it is saying people will be allowed to die humanley, They are acting in the best interests of the child, the parents are not

Does that make sense

Heh, sorry about the story, preme births fascinate me because of this and I tend to ramble...like right now

[HoreTore]

Doctors > stupid relatives