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Whatever the ethical debate around the Computer assisted Euthanasia device is, if we are going to construct such a device, it must also be able to sense EEG, and perhap facial features.
In theory, the difference between a person who are set to die because of a terminal illness vs a person with a depressive
episode, is that the one with terminal illness is more likely to be rational in their decision making.
Current devices like the Deliverance Machine, only ask a set of questions to the user before euthanize.
The danger is that a really depressed person can possibly just lie to the machine, to bypass this protection feature. This can be averted via forcing the user to focus on what they are using using EEG. If they provide an answer at a certain speed and at a certain 'mental alertness' state, they may be booted out of the session, and require the doctor to enable a second try. If it happens too often, it will automatically disable itself, as the user is not fit to kill themselves according to the computer.
If they do answer it all correctly, the EEG sensing will still be present. It will check for mental alertness, as the user is meant to be mentally prepared to die (they should ideally also hold a 'deadman' switch to release at the slightest doubt as well). There is 10 sec of normal saline solution, before the irreversible Euthanasia drug is injected.
By combining both the questions and mental alertness testing, we can ensure that the person less likely to be able to commit suicide for illegitimate purpose using the device.
Deliverance_machine
http://en.wikipedia...Deliverance_machine
[mofosyne, May 26 2011]
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Annotation:
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I like the idea of combining a lie detector with a euthanasia device. Tell the truth, or the machine kills you. |
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Humane death meets evil genius? Bun! |
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Idischler , I never thought of that kind of application. But that
would be rather entertaining, and terrifying as well |
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//combining a lie detector with a euthanasia
device// Something like that in Silverberg's
_Nightwings_ (fictional). Edit: turns out it was
based on the (nonfictional) boca della verita in
Rome. |
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Hmmm what was it like in the book? |
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The idea itself isn't bad, but it's a piss-poor society
that needs a machine to do what a compassionate
doctor should be able to do. |
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It is a reasonable answer in a difficut circumstance. The patient is terminal. If they are crowded by loved ones, factors of influence play. If they are alone this changes. In using this device, who is rational is in both the patient and the device's administrator. |
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Doesn't take depressive realism into consideration. Depression is often more rational than not being depressed. |
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Though I'm aware of a positive correlation between intelligence and depression, [nineteenthly], I don't accept that depression per se can be characterized as either rational or irrational. I understand there is also evidence that, over the longer term, depression reduces intelligence. |
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//Tell the truth, or the machine kills you.// "You will kill me." |
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