Euthanasia

Euthanasia can be defined as the intentional killing by act or omission of a dependent human being for his or her alleged benefits.  According to the House of Lords Select Comittee on Medical Ethics, the precise definition of euthanasia is a deliberate intervention undertaken with the express intention of ending a life, to relieve intractable suffering. Euthanasia is categorized in different ways, which include voluntary, non-voluntary, or involuntary and active or passive. Euthanasia is usually used to refer to active euthanasia, and in this sense, euthanasia is usually considered to be criminal homicide, but voluntary, passive euthanasia is widely non-criminal.

Euthanasia should not be legally binding because first of all, it goes againts a person's right to live. In Malaysia, for example, the citizens' right is protected under the 'Fundamental Liberties Articles Five to Thirteen of the Federal Constitution' (Federal Constitution, 2003). Under this law, a a doctor who treats patients against their expressed wishes can be charged with assault.

In addition, legalisation of euthanasia can also lead to other forms of criminal acts such as abuse and murder. Euthanasia can lead to abuse, especially for senile, handicapped and mentally or terminally-ill patients. This is because the patients feel that they are burden to the family as treatments and medications that they require are very expensive. 

Euthanasia, whether voluntary or not, should never be allowed to be legally practised because it is same as legalising murder. There are alternatives to offer the terminally-ill, mentally-ill or disable persons besides 'mercy killing'. These patients should be given palliative care, showered with love and most of all, given treatment they rightfully deserve as humans, ande not be treated as medical problems.