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Views on euthanasia to be sought
Following is a question by Dr the Hon Conrad Lam and a written reply by the Secretary for Health and Welfare, Mrs Katherine Fok, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
In view of the ageing of the population, the progress made in life-prolonging medical technology and people's changing attitude towards life and death, the concept of euthanasia has aroused concern, discussions and researches on an increasing scale all over the world. Some governments have introduced legislation to legalise the practice of euthanasia and monitor its execution. In the United States, at least 15 states have introduced the Right-to-die Act, and a Senate Committee On Euthanasia And Assisted Suicide has been set up in Canada. In this regard, will the Government inform this Council:
Reply:
(a)
(b)
Whether an in-depth survey will be conducted to solicit the views of the public on euthanasia; if so, when it will be conducted; if not, why not?
Whether the Government would consider setting up a committee consisting of members holding views for and against euthanasia, as well as representatives of religious organisations and the medical and legal professions, to study thoroughly whether the practice of euthanasia should be promoted in the territory; if so, when the committee will be set up; if not, why not?
When the subject of euthanasia was last raised in this Council in February 1993, we sought views from the Medical Council of Hong Kong, the Joint Hong Kong Medical Association/British Medical Association Medical Ethics Advisory Committee and the Hospital Authority.
While they are regarded euthanasia as basically an ethical and professional issue to be addressed by medical bodies and associations, their response also suggested that local doctors did not regard it as a pressing matter of public concern. They were not aware of any cases of euthanasia having taken place in Hong Kong.