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SCMP Reporter

Euthanasia, the right of the terminally-ill to die, is now being debated vehemently throughout the world.

  Scientists are close to unveiling a simple, painless, do- it-yourself euthanasia drug aimed at bypassing anti-suicide laws, according to Australian euthanasia campaigner Dr Philip Nitschke.

  Students of Yuen Long Merchants Association Secondary School share their views on the subject.

  Tse Hoi-yan, 17, said euthanasia should be allowed if patients suffering from incurable diseases wanted to end their lives.

  'Somebody may think life should be kept going as long as possible, but I think it is extremely cruel to let a patient suffer the torment of excruciating pain,' she said.

  'It is not only painful for the patient, but for their families too.'   Yau Mei-mei, 18, said euthanasia was acceptable if the patient could no longer stand the pain.

 'However, I would rather encourage patients to face their illness in a positive way,' she said.

  'Life is important and they should face their illness bravely rather than escape it.'   Luk Yan-yan, 17, said euthanasia was totally unacceptable and she compared it to committing suicide.

 'Every problem has its solution,' she said. 'I think the patient should face the illness and try to cope with it positively.

  'It is our responsibility to struggle for life until the last breath, so I think euthanasia should not be carried out under any circumstances.'   Wan Lai-ngar, 17, said euthanasia was an acceptable way to end the pain for terminally- ill patients, and for their families, who often suffered just as much while witnessing their loved one's decline.

 'To keep a terminally-ill, pain-racked patient alive on principle is a form of torture for the patient and for the family too,' she said.

 Ira Lui Tsz-ming, 17, said he supported the 'voluntary' act of euthanasia.

 'Voluntary euthanasia means patients can decide whether they want to live or end their lives,' he said.

  'I think terminally-ill patients should be able to control their fate.

  'Involuntary euthanasia means the decision to end a patient's life is made by others, such as family members. This is murder.

 'I suggest patients be allowed to sign a document saying they want to die if they are in too much pain.'  Law Chung-ming, 17, said terminally-ill patients should be encouraged to face their illness until the last moment.

 He said cures were being found for all sorts of diseases and hence someone once thought to be terminally ill could still have some time left.

 'Tuberculosis was once incurable,' he said.

  'Perhaps AIDS will also be curable soon too.

 'Even when the patient is dying in bed, hope may knock at any time.' 



Euthanasia: can you ask to die?