021174 I am hopelessly sick, I don't want to burden my family. Why don't you let me Die?

DR. JEANNE Q. BENOLIEL
Professor and Chairman
School of Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle

In many ways these words are poignant reminders of the tragedy of the human condition. They bring us painfully close to an unhappy feature of  the age we live in, namely, the prospect of dying prolonged in a state of unwelcome dependency. Fear of being a burden is common among older persons, but many are equally ,afraid of dying without dignity and being kept alive on machines without regard to their personal wishes. Literally interpreted, the words indicate a readiness to die, but the underlying message-do not abandon me-asks for another's active participation in the final act of living.

DR. N.H. CASSEM, S.J.
Asst. Professor Psychiatry
Harvard Medical School,Boston

I need to know that your condition is truly hopeless; that you are not treatably depressed, that you are mentally competent to make decisions.
While not prolonging your biological life for its own sake, I will not kill you. I don't have
the right before God and man. I must learn if You underestimate the love of your family:
are You too proud to be on the receiving end. What  little I can offer is Yours: honesty.
efforts to keep all of ' you honest and together. to ease pain; my awkward presence when there's nothing else. I will "let" you die, but hopefully, not alone, not misunderstood,
not unchallenged to stay yourself to the end.

DR. S. C. KLAGSBRUN
Director, Psychiatric Consultation Services
St. Lukes Hospital Center, New York

I will do my best to keep you pain free and comfortable as possible. If it becomes clear your pain cannot be controlled and you wish all life support measures stopped, then if your family agrees, we will stop them and hope to see you achieve a peaceful end to suffering. But don't decide to take this step quickly. Think about it and I promise to spend a great deal of time with you to talk this over. If you know of an understanding  clergyman  invite him in to discuss this idea with you. I admire your courage to face this moment in your life.

DR. ROBERT F. HEALY
Vice Presidedent
Medical Affairs
Chief of Medicine
Northern Westchester Hospital, Mt. Kisco

Death comes to all living things and is part of life's cycle. Doctors are expected to exert maximum efforts to prevent s u d d e n , unexpected death. In such cases heroic
methods and great efforts are justified and often productive. However, heroics and great effort are not indicated in cases of terminal, irreversible illness where death is expected
and where continued meaningful existence is impossible. The ethics of our profession
and the laws of the land preclude overt acts to hasten death. But, on the other hand.
life need not be prolonged in these cases. Death can be allowed to take over without the
meddlesome actions of family, friends, and physicians.