A merciful law
Qiu Renzong, an expert in medical ethics and an advocate of legal euthanasia, said legalizing euthanasia can help people living in pain find peace and prevent murder.
He suggested the government pilot a system at selected hospitals in which patients can be assessed for their suitability and receive professional help.
"These (trials for so-called mercy killings) are happening purely because there is no legislation that decriminalizes assisted suicide and sets strict conditions on how it can be conducted," said Qiu, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. "I suggest letting a few hospitals try it, so they can assess patients properly. Otherwise it's possible that some people will take advantage and attempt to get away with murder."
To qualify, he said a person must have a terminal illness and be in "unbearable pain" that cannot be alleviated by medication. There must also be an official record showing the person has repeatedly insisted on euthanasia. "Any application would have to be appraised by a medical professional and conducted in a painless way."
Feedback
RSS
