Euthanasia In Singapore?

There was a debate on whether Singapore should legalize euthanasia. “Euthanasia is the deliberate ending of life of a person suffering from incurable disease.” , http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/euthanasia. This issue was brought up when Minister of Health, Khaw Boon Wan drafted out our Government’s efforts to improve palliative care. Palliative care refers to concern for the patient and the family of the patient, be it physically, emotionally and spiritually (quoted from http://dying.about.com/od/palliativecareoverview/Palliative_Care_Overview.htm). Mr Khaw also  took the opportunity to promote Advanced Medical Directive (AMD), a medical document to certify that a person does not wish to engage the use of life-sustaining medical treatment to prolong his/her life if the person has been medically declared as unconscious (inability to make rational decisions) or terminal patient.

Euthanasia is the act of ending a terminally ill patient life. It can be in the form of active or passive. Passive euthanasia (withholding of life-sustaining treatment) is legal in Singapore backed by AMD since 1997. With regards to this issue, various religious leaders have commented, supported as well as condemned such a practise.

From the Christianity point of view, they (most of them) see euthanasia as they foe. They argue that euthanasia is interfering with God. Furthermore, they see life as a creation by God. Hence any act to alter the life of a human being is tantamount to disobeying God. Therefore, the collective decision to disapprove euthanasia.

From both Buddhist’s and hindus’ perspective, it is more varied. This is because the teachings of Buddhism revolve mainly around cause and effects, values and principles. Like Buddhism, Hindus believe that killing is prohibited and this would bring bad karma to the killer. On another hand, by relieving someone of his pain, it can be seen as good deed. Hence their views on euthanasia are not unanimous.

Muslims share the same view as Christian on the issue of euthanasia. They believe that lives are sacred and bestowed by Allah. Therefore, euthanasia is forbidden.

Even doctors have diverging opinions in this issue. In the past, doctors would have to recite the Hippocratic oath, some still do. In it, a sentence reads, ‘ I will not give a lethal drug to anyone if I am asked,’. By this, should doctors legalize euthanasia? No. However, as time evolves, human becomes more humane and flexible. This leads to some doctors to support euthanasia while others to oppose it.

More factors come into consideration with regards to euthanasia.

I am an advocator of euthanasia. I don’t understand why a person should suffer knowingly that he is going to die soon. Could the suffering bring happiness to his family? In reality, family members would be devastated to see a suffering relative. Life belongs to the individual, doesn’t this entitle him to control his life? Couldn’t he die more peacefully and painlessly? It is no doubt that sucha filial patient would not want to burden his family, be in emotionally, physically or financially.

Ultimately, the way to solve this issue is to research and find cure for EVERY disease which is currently impossible (and may be still the same in the next 10 years). This contentious issue will remain until religious leaders express their approval for euthanasia to be legalized. The government seems to be the only institution to override their views and legalize it as in the case in Oregon and Netherlands.