Advance Medical Directive Act

The advance medical directive act refers to the act of ending one's life, given that he or she is in critical state. To put it simply, patients are allowed to bring forward their death day to cease their suffering. 

Many people compare this to the act of euthanasia, more commonly know as the “legal suicide”. The only difference between the two is just that the former requires a valid reason for the application to be approved, while the latter simply needs an application. Though there's only one difference between the two, but why is it that Singapore chose the former? 

First of all, euthanasia seems to be an easily abused act, people are able to end their lives on their own accord, without consulting any relatives or specialists, it has the same social impact as committing suicide. However, socially responsible people would obviously consult their relatives and friends before going for euthanasia. The advance medical directive act, on the other hand, needs a long and elaborate process of approval. 

However, despite the advance medical directive act having so many measure in place, it is bound to be abused. One issue would be the qualifications of this act. It seems like any one of the parties mentioned in the act possesses veto powers against ending a single soul. Furthermore, there is a part for “medical specialists” to decide if the patient is really in pain. No doubt, there would be differences in each and every doctor's perception, if Doctor A doesn't grant the approval, the patient can go to Doctor B to seek approval, so on and so forth, until they grant approval. 

Also, there is the issue of insurance. If the person under this act has death insurance, does it mean that their relatives are still paid for it, after all, it is a loss of kin. Would their insurance then be terminated? The patient may even have to go through this pressure if their family is in immediate need of money. 

It is hard to see someone die before your eyes, but it is harder to see someone suffer before your eyes, knowing that they'd have to go through the same pain over and over again each day. Wouldn't it be better to just let them go? The advance medical directive act has its pros and cons but either way, we should never abuse it.