I am curious, but not surprised as to why you extrapolated my words into a suggestion for mass murder? I simply alluded to the possibility that our planet, or any planet that may contain intelligent, sapient life must have a maximum capacity, so to speak. That human beings should have the wherewithal to determine a proper population balance with the resources provided by mother earth. That we can address the issue before it becomes a problem, or, like we tend to do so often–wait until its a crisis?

Perhaps Stephen Hawking will be the one to solve this dilemma…

Purveyor of Rhetoric

My point : “Stephen Hawking Lives”… While many  people may only look at the outward physical appearance and condition of Stephen Hawking, and worry about what kind of “quality of life” that he may have, his MIND is very much alive and active. Thank you very much.

 I am profoundly grateful that he is alive to contribute to humankind’s understanding of the working of the universe, and I look past his disability and infirmity. His contribution to civilization is profound.

When I was in Cambridge, England (my husband was giving a seminar at Churchill College on molecular genetics), I saw Dr. Hawking on King’s Parade.

He was in a motorized wheelchair, (which is controlled by a mouth apparatus). He was accompanied by a caregiver , as Dr. Hawking navigated the cobblestone road..

 Seeing him  made me realize,( in a very profound way) that  a man or woman or chid is MORE than their  body. 

As a civilization, we need to respect all human life. Why ? For a selfish and self-serving reason > Because the solution to many of our problems (i.e. the cure for cancer; the discovery of a new way to generate energy; how to be better stewards of the earth’s resources etc.) may be discovered by a human being with a MUCH LESS than PERFECT body. 

Peace.

What's your point?

I have engaged in some rather, precarious and dangerous endeavors in my life. A number of my compatriots were grievously injured to the point that the quality of their lives was such that they were/are rendered completely dependent, or partially dependent on others in some rather unpleasant ways…

I quit, before that happened to me! (but not before being taken away in helicopter at least once!)

IF, and only IF, I was injured or sick to the point of complete infirmity, I would want the choice and the compassion to choose euthanasia. (mercy killing) I sincerely hope that answers your question?

As for my question, it was an odd reference to a famous legal case, (Roe v. Wade) that somehow seemed relevant…

“Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs” (unknown)

Purveyor

How would you feel if YOU were the one on the receiving end of the hypothetical “form of euthanasia, properly regulated and policed” ?

What about his “quality of life” ? Does he deserve a place on your death panel mandate ?