Deputies to the ongoing 10th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing Tuesday controversially called for the legislation of euthanasia.

Shanghai deputy Zhu Shiming and 31 other legislators have presented a bill to the NPC calling for the swift passing of "right to die" legislation, although their chances of success are remote.

Zhu recalled a recent personal experience to explain his pro-euthanasia position. His brother-in-law died earlier this year from cancer. Doctors had tried in vain several times to revive him.

The experience, Zhu said, left the patient's family financially ruined and spiritually drained.

"If China had a law allowing termination of life by painless means to end severe physical suffering, my brother-in-law and other patients wouldn't have to experience severe pain before death," said Zhu, who is also a renowned scientist.

Some people have taken the law into their own hands by helping loved ones in severe pain end their lives, Zhu said.

Liang Wanshan, a 67-year-old electrician in Shanghai, electrocuted his 92-year-old mother in May 2001 to end her suffering. She had suffered from an incurable cerebral haemorrhage.

Liang received five years in prison.

"We are materialists," Zhu said.

"Why can't we make death easier for patients with incurable and distressing diseases who are pleading to die?"

Euthanasia, or "mercy killing," would eliminate patients' suffering while allowing them to maintain their dignity, Zhu said.

It would also ease the financial burdens on their families, Zhu added.

Wang Zhongcheng, another NPC deputy, supports Zhu's position.

"Treating and spending money on terminally ill patients deprives others, who might be cured, of badly needed resources," said Wang, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

Wang and Yan Renying of Peking University are proposing laws allowing the right to euthanasia in pilot projects in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai.

The laws would outline strict procedures - including the need for patients' or their relatives' consent - and ensure close supervision by Chinese officials and experts, the NPC deputies said.

Some Chinese lawmakers proposed euthanasia legislation in the early 1990s.

Wang said those bills were set aside, due in part to the complicated moral, ethical and even religious debates associated with the issue.

Some legal experts advised caution on the issue.

Zhao Bingzhi, secretary-general of the China Law Science Society Criminal Law Research Institute, said: "China lacks the foundation needed for enacting such a law.

"The issue involves basic human rights. Any move towards euthanasia should be made with extreme caution."

Legally, and taking into account China's actual situation, such pilot projects are not feasible, Zhao said.

Improvements in medical technology could one day lead to cures for various terminal illnesses, suggests Dong Xieliang, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the nation's top political advisory body.

"Euthanasia could be misused," Dong warned.

"Doctors might decide nothing can be done for a patient, causing the patient to lose heart and choose death," Dong added.

(China Daily March 14, 2003)