Euthanasia Controversy

Although I truly feel Agate’s pain in wishing to end her mother’s suffering, I cannot join her in advocating euthanasia for the terminally ill. Stories such as Agate’s, poignant though they are, obscure the real danger of the so-called “right-to-die” movement.

As a disabled person, I spent the better part of my childhood in and out of the hospital, and have devoted my adulthood to fighting for an independent lifestyle. Now, along comes the concept of “dying with dignity,” which in effect says that my life is not worth living and that the logical--even courageous--thing for me is to end it.

We know from history where such ideas lead. Clearly, acceptance of the right to die ultimately threatens our right to live.

When a physically healthy person tries to end his or her life, society tries to prevent it. When the disabled, the terminally ill or the elderly talk of suicide, society urges them on--TV movies glorify it, best-selling books show them how to do it, doctors who help them do it go unpunished. Why is the “normal” world so eager to have such people disappear?

DOUG LATHROP

Northridge