Members of the public have expressed mixed feelings regarding the right to die, and the option to end one’s life via euthanasia.

While some see it as a humane act to relieve suffering, others insist that it is morally or religiously wrong.

Euthanasia is the deliberate act of ending a life in order to end suffering, especially in the severe case of terminal illness.

The topic was brought into the public attention when 29-year old American Britany Maynard opted to end her life on Nov 1 with a legally-prescribed lethal dose of barbiturates, after reaching the final stage of her brain cancer.

Euthanasia is often confused with assisted suicide, where the former refers to death administered by a doctor, while the latter is defined as when the patient commits the act with assistance.

It is often argued that euthanasia should be an option for those who have reached the final stages of a terminal illness, such as cancer.

“If their (the patients’) illness is causing them a lot of pain, I think euthanasia is humane to put the person of out of his or her misery,” said Tan Wei Jian, a student.

He added that “putting them to sleep” is a humane option than to keep patients perpetually alive.

“To prolong the pain will only bring more suffering not only to the patients, but the people around them as well,” said Stephanie Chong (right), a barista.

“It is cruel to deny someone the right to die, especially when they are suffering too much,” student Joel Jalleh said when asked if the act is deemed cruel.

Financial adviser John Wong, who had studied medical law, said euthanasia should be available only to patients who have explicitly given their consent, and only in limited circumstances.

These include situations where the patient is suffering from extreme and prolonged pain that cannot be relieved through medication, or if needed to retain the patient’s human dignity.

“I find myself more convinced that euthanasia should as a general rule strictly not be allowed, mainly because life is sacred and you only live once,” he added.

As such, Wong (left) said he would not choose euthanasia for himself as he would rather not hasten death.

Another student, Adrian Ong, had had to deal with the euthanasia of his pet dog several years ago.

“I felt bad seeing him grow weaker by the day,” he said, while emphasising that the decision was made by his mother with his consent.

“I know I had to do it (euthanise) to my old dog,” he said.

“I think many don’t like to do it because they don’t want to be labelled as murderers,” Ong (right) added.

Aruchanan Munusamy has never thought of spending time in a ward, despite being a heavy drinker at the age of 56.

With a family history of diabetes, he refused to consider euthanasia should he suffer the same fate, insisting that he still “appears healthy”, and that he still has a purpose in life.

Religious reasons cited

Meanwhile, some cited religious reasons for rejecting death by choice.

“In Islam, it’s forbidden,” said 21-year old store manager Muhammad Farhan, who has been diagnosed with second stage colon cancer.

While agreeing with the fatwa that made euthanasia haram (forbidden), Farhan added that he is keeping his promise to his grandmother, whose cancer he inherited.

“She suffered, but she still had a purpose in life.

“Despite all odds, she had told me not to administer it (euthanasia) either,” said Farhan, who is keeping his grandmother’s promise to live his life “until the end”.

An engineering student who wants to be identified as Shukri (left) said that euthanasia is illegal as it is considered as “suicide” to most religions.

“To those who don’t really care about such matters (religious doctrines), it’s their own choice and life,” the 26-year-old student added.

A 16-year old cashier, who identifies himself only as Mohammad Shahrul, also agrees with the National Fatwa Council on euthanasia.

“We are in no position to deny a life.

“Only God can judge me,” he said, while insisting on dying a natural death despite the odds.

Being warded can be costly when one is put on life support, where the patient could spend months in hospital while relying on family members to cover the cost.

When asked on the medical expenses for the days he would be warded, Mohammad Shahrul said he would turn to friends and relatives for aid.

“If not, I can always rely on insurance...  If all else fails, I can always appeal to the government for assistance,” persisted Shahrul.


JAKE CARTER is a trainee with Malaysiakini.