Stefanie sun yan zi

Saturday, October 25, 2008
Euthanasia... should it be legalised?

Recently there's been alot of hoo ha over this controversial issue, euthanasia. some wants it to be legalised so that they do not have to suffer in pain during their final days. Others hope that it CAN be legalised so that they do not have to see their loved ones live in agony. However, is it morally right to end a human's live?

Today, this topic of euthanasia popped up in my local newspaper yet again. Here's an extract of what a doctor said. "To me, ending someone's life is the worst harm that can ever be done to another person, what more to a vulnerable population such as the sick, elderly and dying. It is unthinkable that the profession that takes pride in healing, curing and comforting life be also the one that takes it away. It reminds me of the proverbial wolf in sheep-skin, except that the sheep-skin is now that of a white coat." I find this meaningful.

I personally do not advocate euthanasia. because i believe that every live is precious, no matter how small or how fragile it may be. But, it is also most important to note that most of the time the act of filial piety really surface when a child is confronted with the fact that his/her parents are suffering in pain and how best should he/she help them. I believe that if a patient can no longer take the pain further and has discussed with the child as well as fulfilled their last wishes, he/she should be allowed to go in peace.

From an economic point of view, both the society as well as the patient, it may not be such a bad thing to legalise euthanasia too, though every request should be judged on a case by case basis. As Singapore faces an ageing population, can its young and working population really sustain the needs of the working population so that our quality of life can be sustained? Or do we have to be taxed more, even in the current economic situation, so that we can help to pay the hospital bills? From a patient's perspective, if his/her family is only earning enough to get by each month and has exhausted the funds in their medisave accounts, should they be given the go-ahead to end their lives so as not to add to the financial burden of the family?

I believe this is something that should be given serious discussion.

___* hummed a yanzi tune + 7:06 PM

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