Sifting Through Year’s Opinions

D uring 1988, various Orange County residents wrote about their feelings and thoughts in articles submitted to our Sunday commentary columns. As we look back, some of those thoughts are recalled:

Alex Hardy on euthanasia:

In the growing controversy among doctors, the American Medical Assn. and proponents of euthanasia, the principal actor has been completely ignored. What about the terminally ill? Don’t we have a voice and a choice in our time or means of dying? As a terminally ill cancer patient with a very short time left, I want to raise some questions. Doctors often claim that they can’t “play God” and remove life support. Aren’t they “playing God” when the life support is ordered? The physical and financial resources now expended to keep thousands existing are enormous. Could these resources not be better allocated? As my days dwindle to a very precious few, I face the inevitable with absolutely no fear. My only concern is: Will some misguided doctor try to keep me alive against my wishes? Being alive is not merely existing on a machine or with massive drug doses. It is time for the AMA and all doctors to get their priorities in order. Their job is to heal our pain and suffering, not to decide when or how we will die.