"I love life. But I don't want to go on living." So writes 28-year-old Li Yan in her blog, which calls for the legalization of euthanasia.

Li, from northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, has been suffering from terminal cancer since she was just a year old. She has lost the use of her limbs and can move only her head and fingers.

In her blog, Li calls on the NPC to consider drafting a proposal on "peaceful dying", or euthanasia, to look at the benefits of legal suicide.

Her request became a media sensation after popular CCTV investigative news anchor Chai Jing presented it at an NPC meeting.

Talking about her life, Li says she has been cared for by her mother, Song Fengying, 63, for the past 27 years.

"My mom feeds me three meals a day, carries me to the toilet and helps me roll over a dozen times every night," she says. "I might live to be 40 years old, and I am terrified of dying unattended."

Li says she wants to die before her parents. "Or I will live in misery because I will become dirty, smelly and very uncomfortable. I don't want to die that way," she says.

Li says people have right to live, but should also have the option to die. In 2003, she attempted suicide by stopping eating. But her mother's tears made her change her mind.

Since then, Li has been seeking doctor-assisted suicide, so that she might die with respect and serenity. She says her parents have given their approval for her to do so.

"I want to die peacefully and donate my organs to medical research," she says.

Li's case has sparked a nationwide debate over "peaceful death" and euthanasia, raising important questions about hopelessly sick and ill people across the country.

"Personally, I am in favor of euthanasia for certain patients, but the time is not yet right to legalize doctor-assisted suicide. To allow euthanasia without proper and well-prepared legal and medical systems, would lead to some serious repercussions."

Tian Wenchang

A director at the All China Lawyers Association

"I think Chinese people are not morally ready to accept the implementation of euthanasia."

Fan Chongyi

Director of the center on the research of procedural law with the China University of Political Science and Law

"Live. Don't give up. My only daughter was paralyzed one and a half years ago. But in my eyes, she is asleep.

There is a hope as long as you are alive, and that gives strength and comfort to your family. Don't give up, for the people you love."

"Baby don't cry"

A netizen on CCTV anchor Chai Jing's blog

"Li Yan should not choose to die. If the government and society provided more help and care, there would be less people like Li Yan calling for euthanasia."

A commentary entitled "It is the dilemma to live, not the difficulty to die" from the Southern Metropolis Newspaper.

(China Daily March 19, 2007)