Mercy killing has long been a controversial issue. It is complicated with moral, social, ethical and legal implications.
There are two kinds of euthanasia, passive and active.
The Hong Kong Medical Council defined passive euthanasia as 'a deliberate act with the primary intention of ending the life of an individual, as part of the medical care offered'. It did not apply to the withholding or withdrawal of resuscitation procedures of life-prolonging treatment for terminally-ill patients.
Active euthanasia - active termination of life with good reason - is considered murder.
Since there are no Hong Kong laws governing euthanasia, newly elected council chairman Dr Lee Kin-hung said courts would have the final say on whether to turn off life-support for patients in irreversible comas.
Dr Lee said relatives or doctors could initiate a request to stop a coma patient's life-support systems. Should any dispute arise, the parties could put the case to the hospital's ethics committee. Doctor could seek a court order if necessary.
