Li Yan's request to die

Euthanasia is a big issue in the Netherlands, my home country, and when I started to work in China halfway the 1990s as a foreign correspondent any story on the issue was very much wanted. Euthanasia is allowed in the Netherlands, under very strict conditions, but that has not ended the discussion.

Halfway the 1990s a doctor from Shanghai, also member of the CPPCC, pushed the discussion on euthanasia in China. He has already retired and struck me as a rather dedicated man, rather exceptional in a sector where corruption is standard. He had to deal with cancer patients, often (no longer smoking) men with lung cancer in a struggle that would always be fatal. Too often they used the hospital roof to end their suffering.

He wanted legislation, but their were strong - and justified - arguments against euthanasia. In a developing country like China, with still a lack of resources, financial arguments of the family might also become an argument. Rigid guarantees would be needed, but maintaining those guarantees would be almost impossible.

From Danwei I learn that the issue is still under discussion, but now on the internet. Cancer patient Li Yan has started a blog to push for a law on euthanasia. My take: it will take a while.