Euthanasia raises profound personal, family, moral, religious and legal questions. It is little wonder that governments around the world have for many years been grappling with the issue of making it lawful.
Legalisation usually becomes an issue as a result of a tragic and heart-rending case that attracts public attention and sympathy. It has arisen in Hong Kong because of the plight of a man known only as Ah Bun.
This 34-year-old patient in Queen Mary Hospital suffered terrible injuries to his spine during an accident when somersaulting in preparation for a graduation ceremony. For the past 13 years he has been a quadriplegic, paralysed from the neck down. He relies on others for the most basic daily needs.
Last November, Ah Bun used a chopstick held in his mouth to type an eloquent and moving letter to Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa. He also sent an e-mail to almost every legislator. His request was that the law should be changed to enable him to die.
It is shameful that it has taken until now for his appeal to receive attention. A spokesman for Mr Tung sent the patient what appears to be a rather bureaucratic response. Some legislators say they didn't receive his e-mail. Others did respond but respected Ah Bun's request that he did not want to be visited. Only this week did the matter come to public notice, when raised in the Legislative Council. His case has attracted public attention and spurred debate on the issue.
It is easy to understand Ah Bun's feelings of helplessness and desperation. His feelings, and those of his family, are worthy of sympathy - and respect.
