Should we legalize euthanasia in China?
I. Introduction
Euthanasia means intentionally end one’s life to relieve pain and suffering, it is categorized in different ways, which include voluntary, non-voluntary, or involuntary euthanasia. Voluntary euthanasia is only legal in some countries including Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Canada and parts of the United States. Non-voluntary euthanasia is conducted when the explicit consent of the individual concerned is unavailable. For example, when the person is in a persistent vegetative state, or in the case of neonates. Involuntary euthanasia is performed against the will of the patient, usually practiced in the case of execution of criminals or it would be regarded as a crime in legal jurisdiction.
In China, there is a divisive
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Currently, countries legalizing euthanasia are economically developed, social stabilized and welfare countries. In contrast to them, China is still a developing countries with unsound medical security system and large pockets of poverty. Legislation for euthanasia is running through a stagnant situation in which the heat discussion in public couldn’t help. The legislation of euthanasia has to come together with the changes of people’s moral thoughts and a more pervasive public support. Besides, an improved medical care system can only promote the process of legislation when euthanasia is practiced more as a “can do” than a “have to do” thing. It would be fairly clear to declare euthanasia infeasible because life only lives once and euthanasia can provide an easy excuse for irresponsible families to pave the road to death for the patients. However, medical judgment can set the bar very high and further decrease this kind of situation. Doctor and what’s more, death is predestined for every life. Every respect for life or death contributes to helping people value death more, face death peacefully, which should truly be the best way to value the