TAW122
Emissary of the right to die.
- Aug 30, 2018
- 7,498
I have just read a reply by the stanch pro-choicer advocate on Reddit (existentialgoof) and in one his replies, he mentioned that states how stripping someone of their autonomy without evidence of lacking mental capacity and lumping them all into the same category is considered a case of prejudice and discrimination and should be challenged under the law (see quote in box below):
So after reading the quote and idea, this makes me wonder that in an ideal society that is more pro-choice, what kind of laws would you implement and why? As for me, assuming the conditions in this hypothetical scenario are true, then I would certainly extend the same protections. The same kind of anti-discrimination laws and protections should be extended to the supposedly 'suicidal' people and also the expansion of due process. We hear about due process when it comes to criminal proceedings and what not, and I believe the same should apply to those who already have a diagnosis, especially one that isn't based on objective standards, but subject to personal interpretations by "professionals" and are subjective standards (hence why the DSM keeps changing over time).
In addition to this, I would also extend the right to die, not just limited to the terminally ill or those who have a irremediable chronic physical condition that is not likely to get better and the person (patient) in the case would likely suffer that condition indefinitely. This means that people who have already been suffering an inordinate amount of time should NOT be forced to endure treatments that they do not wish to endure just because some professionals decide that they should continue (for the sake of society, their family, or loved ones).
With regards to penalties, I would enact policies and bills that will enforce punishment for those who discriminate (again back to extending legal protections via anti-discrimination laws that already exist for marginalized groups and protection of certain statuses (age, disability, gender, race, national origin, sex, political affiliation, etc.), and actually have real penalties (fines, imprisonment, liability for litigation, etc.). Then furthermore with this, expand the rights of the patient, by allowing them to request MAID, death with dignity, and providers (even if they object or disagree), CANNOT legally discriminate or use that as a basis for unsoundness of mind (circling back to anti-discrimination), and if they object or disagree they would be legally required to refer the patient out to a provider that would be willing to provide (if in a pro-choice society, and the legal ramifications of forced-life were abolished, there WILL likely be providers who will provide such services – due to the risk of prosecution no longer being a thing). The patients would further have rights to appeal any decision (denials or objections) and would have a third party, independent panel of MAID or similar assessors hear their case and more.
In conclusion, these are the laws and regulations I would pass (including the ones where I cited examples of what I would do), but what kind of laws would you all pass in this kind of society? Feel free to get creative, whether it be through existing legislation, future legislation (albeit hypothetical and imaginative), or other kinds of changes.
| u/existentialgoof said: if everyone is being dumped into a category of losing their bodily autonomy based on the mere fact that they have a "diagnosis", then that is a case of prejudice and discrimination, and should be challenged as such under the law. Everyone deserves the right to be treated as an individual, rather than permanently lose their rights based on a label, with no legal avenue for appeal. |
So after reading the quote and idea, this makes me wonder that in an ideal society that is more pro-choice, what kind of laws would you implement and why? As for me, assuming the conditions in this hypothetical scenario are true, then I would certainly extend the same protections. The same kind of anti-discrimination laws and protections should be extended to the supposedly 'suicidal' people and also the expansion of due process. We hear about due process when it comes to criminal proceedings and what not, and I believe the same should apply to those who already have a diagnosis, especially one that isn't based on objective standards, but subject to personal interpretations by "professionals" and are subjective standards (hence why the DSM keeps changing over time).
In addition to this, I would also extend the right to die, not just limited to the terminally ill or those who have a irremediable chronic physical condition that is not likely to get better and the person (patient) in the case would likely suffer that condition indefinitely. This means that people who have already been suffering an inordinate amount of time should NOT be forced to endure treatments that they do not wish to endure just because some professionals decide that they should continue (for the sake of society, their family, or loved ones).
With regards to penalties, I would enact policies and bills that will enforce punishment for those who discriminate (again back to extending legal protections via anti-discrimination laws that already exist for marginalized groups and protection of certain statuses (age, disability, gender, race, national origin, sex, political affiliation, etc.), and actually have real penalties (fines, imprisonment, liability for litigation, etc.). Then furthermore with this, expand the rights of the patient, by allowing them to request MAID, death with dignity, and providers (even if they object or disagree), CANNOT legally discriminate or use that as a basis for unsoundness of mind (circling back to anti-discrimination), and if they object or disagree they would be legally required to refer the patient out to a provider that would be willing to provide (if in a pro-choice society, and the legal ramifications of forced-life were abolished, there WILL likely be providers who will provide such services – due to the risk of prosecution no longer being a thing). The patients would further have rights to appeal any decision (denials or objections) and would have a third party, independent panel of MAID or similar assessors hear their case and more.
In conclusion, these are the laws and regulations I would pass (including the ones where I cited examples of what I would do), but what kind of laws would you all pass in this kind of society? Feel free to get creative, whether it be through existing legislation, future legislation (albeit hypothetical and imaginative), or other kinds of changes.