Here is your chance to practice English

[Joyce Tsai]

Assisted Suicide

"I have twice helped patients to die, illegally. Like many doctors, I reported the cause of death to the authorities as 'natural'," said a retired Dutch doctor in his memoir. Oregon and Texas in the US, the Netherlands and Belgium are the only jurisdictions in the world where laws specifically permit euthanasia or assisted suicide. Do people who suffer from terminal illness or severe disability have the legalized right to choose euthanasia or assisted suicide? Christopher Reeve, the Superman actor, contemplated suicide many times, and decided to live on despite his paralysis after a horse riding accident. But it was his wife's support that kept him from chosing death over living on a respirator. Christopher Reeve demonstrated famously that becoming paralyzed does not mean that meaningful life ends. However, shouldn't people have the right to commit suicide? Should euthanasia be legalized?

What's your view on this topic? You're welcome to bring your views to share with us this Sunday. This is a perfect chance for you to learn about the topic, and at the same time, improve your English at the Brass Monkey!