Are we entitled to choose between life and death?

Question: Are we entitled to choose between life and death!?

If you have someone on lifesupport and you are asked to choose between disconecting the machines and keeping them on , would you do it!? Who are we to decide over life and death!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

A 21 year old man, had a very serious accident, while riding his ATV, his name is Zach Dunlap from Fredrick, Oklahoma!.
A brain scan 36 hours after his accident showed no brain activity and since he had indicated he wanted to donate his organs, his parents gave their permission to pull the plug!. While waiting for the organ harvest team to arrive, his cousin, Dan Coffin, a nurse, ran the blade of his pocket knife along the underside of Zach's foot - Zach pulled his foot away!.
The family was told that this was simply a reflex action!. His cousin was not convinced and this time he dug one of his fingernails under Zach's nails, Zach reacted again and whipped his arm away - all the way across his body!. The Physician told the family that the brain monitoring equipment must have been faulty!. Zach enjoyed a full recovery and suffered no permanent brain damage, he is very happy to be alive!. After reading this, there is no question, I would never want to take a chance, taking someone of life support is never an option!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

A whole bunch of problems pop up with your question!.

For example:
- what is the quality of their life if they are kept on the machines!?
- will they suffer in pain if they are kept "alive" on the machines!?

I would have to consider the circumstances for which I am given, but to answer your question, yes I could do it!.

"Who are we to decide over life and death!?"!.!.!.we are the people that love them and have been charged to make a difficult decision, we are also their medical proxy!.!.which means that we make the decisions for them, for what is BEST for them!.

Please comment on my answer!. Cheers!. Oh, and please answer my question in the philosphy area "Can people be labeled 'evil'"!.

--EDIT--

If they are the parents, then yes, they are the ones who granted them their lives!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I do give it to the Lord to decide!. When my time comes and my life may be prolonged if!.!.!.
Along time ago, I gave up my life to the Lord, all of it, in it's entirety!. When He calls me home, I will know!. Medical science is a wonderful thing in our lives, but; if I were to stay 'overtime' do to medical science, I would only be prolonging the inevitable, miserably!. Not just for me, but for my family and loved ones!. When the Lord calls me home, it is simply time to go!. So, I want to go with dignity and spare these people I love so dearly, the agony and pain of suffering, just to have a little "borrowed" time!Www@QuestionHome@Com

Well, "god/s" gave us the gift of knowledge to use, so life support is ok!.

Well to choose life or death, the closest to the person should be left with the decision, for they have the best chances to do what the person with the coma would do to himself!.

I mean, if you really dont want to be on life support, then have the proper DNR (do not resucitate) forms and tags with you!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Euthanasia has long been debatable!. Religion will tell us that it is only God who has the power to take our lives and no one else!. However, if Science is to be followed, loved ones may opt to choose to take the life of the patient suffering especially if it is the same who prays for it not to continue the ordeal a person is experiencing!. Ergo, it is a matter of decision left to us!.

Thanks for asking!. Have a great day!Www@QuestionHome@Com

It depends on the situation!. If the person is brain dead, and you have the support of the Church, it might be OK!. "Choose life" Dt 30:19!. Aren't we playing God keeping someone on life support, just as much as saying when someone should die, we say it is not time for someone to die!? I am looking for a response if anyone has one!. I am Catholic and do not believe in euthanasia!. God bless!Www@QuestionHome@Com

I wouldnt do it if I wasnt 100% sure what the person wanted!.

But me personally, If the only way I was living was on a machine, and I was pretty much a vegetable, then I would want to die!. Just because there's no point in living, I would be burdening my family and friends, and without modern technology, I would already be dead in the first place!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

It is true!. We are not God!. But what about that person hooked to the machine !? Supposing if you could somehow enter that person's body and experience being hooked to the machine for survival, what do you want !? Of course, to be awaken and not to depend on the machine!. But if you cannot be awakened, then what would you want !?Www@QuestionHome@Com

By using machines to keep them alive you are doing just that!. If nature were to take its course they would probably be dead!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I'd ask the person firstWww@QuestionHome@Com

When you cut the machine off!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.God decides after that!.Www@QuestionHome@Com