Opinions are divided on euthanasia

when a race horse breaks its leg, it is immediately shot to put it out of agony. does the definition of ''compassion'' differ from one life form to another? is passive euthansia more morally correct than active? such questions were raised and debated at a seminar organised by the kolkata society for the right to die with dignity on saturday. the idea behind the first of its kind symposium was to garner opinion on the subject.taking part at the discussion were reputed oncologists, philosphers and lawyers. "the right to life is guaranteed by the constitution under article 21. the law, as it stands today, will not allow euthanasia in any form," said west bengal legal aid services executive chairman geetanath ganguly. he felt that unless a foolproof system against possible is developed, mercy killing should not be legalised. thakurpukur cancer centre pediatric oncologist arpita bhattacharyya said she faced the question everyday. "it is most painful for parents to see their children suffer and yet, few are willing to take that final decision. they prefer to try other forms of treatment after i give the final word," she said. in the west, the approach to the issue was different, bhattacharyya said. "there people are more informed, read up on the disease that is affliciting their dear one and are willing to take that final decision. in india, the patient''s family always wants us to give it one more try or wait for a cure." but, for a disease like cancer where degeneration cannot be halted, it is impossible to wait for research to discover treatment, bhattacharyya said. for bethune college principal pushpa misra, moral and ethical questions were more important. she felt that passive enthanasia, in which the patient was allowed to die, was more ''moral'' than active or physician-assisted death. other physicians were of the opinion that optimal palliative therapy had to be undertaken before the final decision was made. this was lauded by society president suhita chopra chatterjee. "if physicians can ensure that the patient lives painlessly with dignity, it is better to exercise that option. ours is a welfare society and if a family is unable to bear the burden of treatment, the state should. euthanasia for lack of finances for treatment or any other motive is murder," she said.