"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)