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talkpoliticsA 91 year old woman is being investigated by the FBI for selling suicide kits.
She claims her kits, which include a bag and tubing to connect to a helium tank with instructions and sell for $60, offer an easy, peaceful death to those who wish to end their lives. She has been criticized for not doing due diligence as to whether her customers need these kits as a compassionate measure or if they are underage or mentally unstable.
While I am in favour of assisted suicide on compassionate grounds, I do share the same concerns voiced by her critics. As well, it seems very wrong to me for someone to profit off of someone's pain and suffering. While I am not convinced she should be jailed for her actions, I do think her business should be shut down. Those who wish to commit suicide can always find a way to do so, either alone or with help without someone profiting off the act.
My questions to you:
1. Do you feel she should be prosecuted for this?
2. If not, should she be able to continue selling the kits?
3. Should the families of those who committed suicide using her kits be able to sue?
She claims her kits, which include a bag and tubing to connect to a helium tank with instructions and sell for $60, offer an easy, peaceful death to those who wish to end their lives. She has been criticized for not doing due diligence as to whether her customers need these kits as a compassionate measure or if they are underage or mentally unstable.
While I am in favour of assisted suicide on compassionate grounds, I do share the same concerns voiced by her critics. As well, it seems very wrong to me for someone to profit off of someone's pain and suffering. While I am not convinced she should be jailed for her actions, I do think her business should be shut down. Those who wish to commit suicide can always find a way to do so, either alone or with help without someone profiting off the act.
My questions to you:
1. Do you feel she should be prosecuted for this?
2. If not, should she be able to continue selling the kits?
3. Should the families of those who committed suicide using her kits be able to sue?
(no subject)
Date: 1/6/11 20:50 (UTC)Look at it this way -- if this IS a legal product to sell then the restraints on her trade should be minimal.
But by definition her customers are more than likely to be in an extremely distressed and potentially irrational state.
What's acceptable in a business plan to peddle this? Can she go to internet chat rooms for depressed people and talk up her business? Buy direct marketing information from google on people who search methods of killing themselves? Target teens who are being bullied?
I want to know every last inch of that before I think this is a potentially good idea.