A lot of people criticize Luka because he made a choice for his patient. But what about people who try to commit suicide? After all, they choose to die, so why doctors try to save them?

I might be stupid but I don't see the difference: -The pregnant woman made a choice that eventually 'kills' a baby. They cannot do anything against that. -A person makes the choice to die. They try everything to save him. In both cases, a person takes a decision. In the first case, they have to accept the decision. In the 2nd one, they don't care about it. Why?

-- Delphine (delphine@cancerboard.ab.ca), May 23, 2000

Answers

You know, you have a point, but most people who try to commit suicide aren't in their right minds. If they were, they would see that they WOULDN'T want to die... I think Doctor's realize this; which is why those patients who attempted suicide are put in the pyschiatric ward under supervison, so hopefully someone can talk to them and make them realize that this was NOT what they wanted to do.

-- samira (matb_west@chickmail.com), May 23, 2000.

Also, there's the obvious point -- killing yourself is illegal. It's the same reason why a doctor can't assist someone to die. For better or worse, there are cases where the patient's wishes are overridden by the law.

-- Lynn (lynn@wordsmyth.org), May 23, 2000.

It was illegal to kill yourself? I didn't know that! Interesting... anyway, I also know that in some religions it's against their beliefs, especially in Islam, I think, among others.

-- samira (matb_west@chickmail.com), May 23, 2000.

I see your point. I agree that it wouldn't make much sense either way; but I also have to comment that those who commit suicide, whether in or out of their right minds, are sometimes in an emotional valley and once their life is saved; they might be glad that they got a second chance to rethink that decision. Others might go out and try it again!

BTW, I didn't know it was illegal to commit suicide either. That's kind of funny! I mean, if they commit suicide, what are you going to do? Put the casket in prison?

-- Lauren (whateverchick@aol.com), May 23, 2000.

You know, about suicide being illegal, I think that the methods of committing suicide are illegal, not the act itself. If you overdose intentionally on heroin, cocaine (illegal drugs), kill yourself with a stolen weapon, that's illegal... but once it's done, it's done, ya know?! I mean, the Romans certainly thought that suicide was brave and honorable, and what about the Kamikaze pilots in WWII?

-- samira (matb_west@chickmail.com), May 23, 2000.

Yes, it is illegal to kill yourself, regardless of the method. However, it is LEGAL to have an abortion in this country at this time. Some of us may not like it, but it is the law--an unborn child is not recognized as a "person" if the woman wishes to end the pregnancy. So, suicide is not permitted by law, but the death of unborn fetuses is.

-- Cecelia (evilstoat@hotmail.com), May 23, 2000.

It isn't illegal to kill yourself in Britain, although it was early in the 20 century. That's why you _commit_ suicide, like you _commit_ a crime. Does the law in America change with what state you are in, like the age of consent?

-- Steph (S.M.Bagstaff@ncl.ac.uk), May 24, 2000.

I think it is illegal to commit suicide and I am not sure if it varies state to state (although OR does have an assisted suiced law now where doctor assisted suicide is legal). But I don't think this law is ever enforced. I have never heard of someone who tried to commit suicide being put on trial for "attempted suicide".

-- amanda (amanda.rehm@home.com), May 24, 2000.

No, you aren't tried for attempting to commit suicide...what happens is a lot worse. It is assumed that if you tried to kill yourself that you are not in your right mind and are forced into therapy and confinment. This is a ridiculous presupposition that doesn't recognize the single most fundamental right anyone should have...the right not to live.

-- Rusty Priske (rusty.priske@hrdc-drhc.gc.ca), May 24, 2000.

Rusty is correct, the basic idea behind suicide being illegal is that if you try it, they can send you right into a mental hospital. I agree with his feeling that this does impinge on personal liberty to some degree.

-- Mary Jo Sminkey (maryjo@dogpatch.org), May 24, 2000.

Rusty, I see your point that someone has the right "not to live". But all I can say is, they also have the right to hear about the One that can rescue them from the hopelessness and depression that lead up to suicide... and what follows after.

-- Kim (ILuvSnowB@aol.com), May 24, 2000.

Suicide is illegal because it's murder (of one's self). The compassionate thing to do if the person isn't successful is help them to find out why they don't want to live. So they're sent some place where they're safe from themselves and can get help. This all presupposes the belief that life is a gift not to be thrown away. For years the Church taught that a person who committed suicide would not go to heaven, but that teaching was changed to a more enlightened (IMO) one a while back that says a person who commits suicide isn't in a proper mental state because to kill one's self is against human nature and the desire to live.

Back to the original questions: in the ER epi, the woman made the decision for her unborn baby, but because he hadn't lived outside the womb, it's not murder. That's unfortunate but how it is...and, I keep saying this, the court eventually came through for the baby, only too late. I doubt we ever see her again, but I'd like to see what made this woman hate her own baby so much that she'd let him die. Maybe there will be some repurcussions next season regarding the storyline and we'll learn more.

-- Diana (dilynne@juno.com), May 25, 2000.

While I don't know if attempting or pulling off a suicide is illegal in "law" terms, it is illegal in certain religions. In Catholiscm the person who actually committed suicide was not allowed to be buried in hallowed ground. If they didn't kill themself, they were shunned. This is still way it is in Orthodox, Muslim, and Amish religions.

-- AmyE (roamyn@aol.com), May 26, 2000.

Yes, it is illegal, in LEGAL, "law" terms. Think of the insurance issues, how your family won't get your benefits if you commit suicide and so forth. In fact, suicide is considered a felony.

-- Cecelia (evilstoat@hotmail.com), May 26, 2000.

it is illegal to commit suicide with out leaving a note behind. so, what would the punishment be?

-- holly (bannanamobile@aol.com), March 31, 2001.

Exorcism.

-- Cecelia (evilstoat@hotmail.com), March 31, 2001.

I think suicide is what J. Margulies did be leaving the show back when....is she still alive?

-- Andreaux (andscott@email.com), April 02, 2001.

for my point of view people trying to suicide because of so many reason behind that someone is here...

1. fail to getting job 2.behaviours of parents 3.discouragoness for love

they have no choice except fot dieing thats why they commit suicide..because they really hert so much they cannot face the situation as breavely thats why want to escape from the world

-- samina akram (saminaakram@hotmail.com), July 06, 2001.