Death in the Name of Love

A man who attempted to forcibly take his wife off life support has renewed online debate in China over medical euthanasia. According to media reports, the octogenarian surnamed Xu dramatically pulled the respirator tubes from his wife who had suffered from severe heart failure. Doctors managed to stop Xu and saved his wife. Xu said he could not bear to see his wife struggling in hospital and wanted her to stay at home until her final day. Many on social media sympathized with Xu, suggesting that medical euthanasia be permitted if stated in the patient’s will. However, experts warned the practice raises complex legal issues and would require a comprehensive medical and social system to support it.