The Case of Ah Bun : Euthanasia and Other Alternatives

This chapter begins with the story of "Bun Zai," a quadriplegic person who openly demanded the legalization of euthanasia in Hong Kong in 2003, triggering off widespread media coverage and public attention. The controversy about the legalization stems from the conflict among the rival views on value of life, pain and sufferings, and the meaning of death. After a discussion of these views, the moral arguments for and against euthanasia are examined, which shows that the moral disagreement in regard to euthanasia arises from the set of conflicting values and moral considerations, including the intrinsic value of life, autonomy, wellbeing of the patient, and the social consequence of legalizing euthanasia. As this moral disagreement cannot be settled, the latter part of the chapter discusses public policy alternatives to the legalization of euthanasia based on a compromise among the conflicting values and moral considerations.