Originally posted by KingsGambit
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Different stages of life: pre-natal, infant, toddler, youth, adult, geriatric.
Levels of consent: No consent, 'end of life' plan, parent/guardian, power of attorney, 'right-mind' patient.
Methodology: Doctor-performed, doctor-assisted, patient alone.
I break it out this way because the arguments will vary. I don't know very many people that are willing to allow 'no consent', and power of attorney can be messy. It's a different question for terminal adults and geriatrics than it is for young children or infants born with severe problems.
Personally, I'm fine with it provided it can be shown the patient is terminal, in their right mind, and all reasonable treatments have been tried and failed. With parents/guardians of small children or infants, I think we should be prepared to provide financial assistance if we're going to force them to keep the kid. (I'm generally not in favor of terminating the kid except in some really extreme cases where "is this life" may not have an affirmative answer).
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