I had the misfortune to come across this on a blog I frequent. Given Dr. Crichton's views on this, I thought it might be pertinent to discuss. I realise this may be a touchy subject for some of our international board members, but I feel it is pertinent to those of us in the United States. I hope the Admin won't shut this down since I'm trying to avoid the connection with State of Fear.

I want to mostly focus on the statements of one particular 'biomedical ethicist' (as published in a book in 2000) in particular, as this person has advised members of the United States Congress. Her name is Dr. Judith Lee Kissel. The fact that she has the ear of our politicians, many of whom are morally bankrupt in my opinion, scares me to no end.



In my not so humble opinion, she represents the modern vanguard of one of the most repugnant belief systems that mankind has had to endure. Whether she is cognizant of it or not, her beliefs fall right in line with Nazism, Fascism, Marxist-Leninist and Moaist thought. Despite the obfuscation of many in the post-World War era, the undeniable fact is that the Nazi's were in fact not a 'right-wing' movement at all, but a far left-wing one. One cannot have a Socialist Movement that exists on the Right-wing, as that is occupied by Anarchism (another term that has become obfuscated over time).

Replace the word children with Jew, Christian, Slav, Black, Oriental, Irish or what have you. Its no different. This ideology is what gave us 16 million dead in Germany, 22+ Million dead in Russia and the Ukraine, 1+ million dead in Cambodia and 50+ million dead in China.

I believe someone has the right to determine if they want to die. But by God, have the courage to eat a bullet yourself. Do not put that kind of power in the hands of other people. This belief system is a scourge, don't fool yourself otherwise. Nazism didn't die out 60 years ago, it merely changed its stripes. The fact that the United States now has its own homegrown variety should give everyone pause.

The problem is also, from what little I've read, Dr. Kissel's beliefs are hardly unique in her field. This to me isn't science and sure as Hades isn't ethics. This is religion in another guise. A rather scary one.

Dear RedLeg, you are so right!
I only can repeat the Dostoyevsky words: "I don't like hapiness for all people, if it mean one tear of one child!"
It is true for Russia as well as for USA and for Europe and for all the world.

Hi Brooklyn

Thank you for making that post.
I think it is good to bring these matters to peoples attention.

Like you I feel people should have a right to euthanasia when they are totally capable of making that decision for themselves, supported and guided by people who can help them professionally.
It is not however a matter that should be ordained by others.

What bothers me most in the ideas of Dr.Kissel is that she uses economic reasons for her defense.
To me Life, is not about economy but about giving each other the right and space to live our lives the way we want or the way we can.
If there is a valid reason to end life, then that is a different matter; but not, to quote Dr.Kissel because;

quote
"Even very young children can understand that medical costs can quickly absorb money that could otherwise be put aside for college education or a family vacation, for example."
end of quote.

Who is she to decide anyway what young children can understand.
I have examples in my environment of so called 'disabled' children who bring a world of un-calculated joy to other people.
Yes they also take up more time, care and attention; but they also teach about unconditional love and affection.
But then of course the word 'unconditionally' isn't mentioned in the handbook of economy.
Maybe Dr.Kissel should put her vacation money in a fund that supplies help for parents and their disabled children.

As for whether her ideas are right wing or left wing, I would say they have no wings but the thoughts of extremist individuals, who for some reason are terribly afraid of something.
I hope other, more balanced thinkers, will think twice before they condone these extreme views.

I'm curious about one remark though you made about this being a more touchy subject for the international board members.
Doesn't each culture hold, one way or the other, extremist thoughts and examples like this?

Hehe, I was merely prefacing that I am aware many in the international community may not agree with me. I'm a Libertarian and have been accused of being an Anarcho-Capitalist by people on other message boards that are made up predominantly of international members (most of whom are Socialists and the very antithesis of Liberatarians). My system of beliefs generally fall within the realm of 'The Welfare of the Individual is more important than The Welfare of the State', which doesn't tend to have international appeal. Also, there is much greater acceptance of Voluntary Euthanasia in the International Community than in the United States. I didn't necessarily want to start a huge argument about the merits of it.