My heart is especially heavy today. As an old friend of Mr. Fu Da-jen and a junior from National Chung Hsing University, I truly miss him. When it comes to "dignified death," memories flood back. The last time we juniors, friends, and teachers gathered with senior Fu Da-jen, he seemed cheerful on the surface, but in reality, he was enduring immense pain.
He once told me that he sometimes needed 160 milliliters of anesthetic a day just to barely relieve the pain, and if the dosage was slightly reduced, the pain would come like a tide. He often fell asleep standing up, and falling down became a common occurrence. Every time I saw him tormented by his illness, my heart felt like it was being pricked with needles.
When he decided to go to Switzerland to seek euthanasia, we were all very reluctant. On the one hand, we hoped he could live, and on the other hand, we couldn't bear to see him continue to suffer.
Fu Da-jen's Struggle for Survival
In fact, senior Fu Da-jen made many efforts in the final stage of his life. He tried his best to take the time to attend his child's wedding and even traveled to Guangzhou for treatment. During that process, his will to live was very firm, but the pain was simply too severe.
He liked to write poetry, and in his final words, he wrote these lines: "I die in Zurich, I come from Taiwan, I am for fairness, for the rule of law, for freedom and human rights, I die in Zurich, and have no regrets." This is not only his personal sentiment but also represents the expectations of many others who suffer from similar pain.
Chiung Yao's Will: Not Wanting to Slowly Wither Away
Speaking of Mr. Fu Da-jen, many people will also think of Ms. Chiung Yao's will. In her will, Chiung Yao said that she did not want to slowly wither away and wanted to take charge of the major events in her life. This actually reflects the core issue we are discussing today—patients should have the autonomy to decide how they want to die with dignity.
Chiung Yao compared herself to a spark, and after burning out, she did not want to have her life sustained by intubation and become a bedridden old woman. But she also gently reminded young people not to give up on life easily, as temporary setbacks and blows may be training for a beautiful life. She hopes that young people can withstand the training and live to be in their eighties like her, and then choose how to face death when their physical strength and will can no longer support them.
Patient Autonomy: Taiwan Needs to Take a Step Forward
The reason I am standing here today is to hope to promote Taiwan to take a step forward in terms of patient autonomy. I know that in Taiwan, promoting euthanasia immediately and achieving a dignified death still faces many difficulties, and even some people's taboos. But we cannot stagnate because of this and should bravely face this issue.
My teachers and many friends hope that through today's discussion, more people can pay attention to those who are suffering the same pain as Mr. Fu Da-jen and Ms. Chiung Yao. Their will to live is strong, but they are tormented by pain. Can we give them a dignified and autonomous choice environment?
Advance Medical Directives: The Need is Increasingly Urgent
In recent years, the number of people signing advance medical directives has been increasing. From about 10,000 people signing in 2019, to about 25,000 people signing each year in 2023 and 2024. From 2019 to 2024, 93,000 people have signed advance medical directives. This shows that the society's demand for the Act on Patient Right to Autonomy is becoming more and more urgent. Of course, our current palliative care still has many shortcomings.
| Year | Number of People Signing Advance Medical Directives |
|---|---|
| 2019 | Approximately 10,000 |
| 2023/2024 | Approximately 25,000/year |
Poll: 75% of the Public Supports Euthanasia
At the end of 2023, a poll showed that as many as 75% of the Taiwanese public support euthanasia. The main reasons for supporting euthanasia include:
- Hoping to die with dignity (50%)
- Relieving pain (20.3%)
- Avoiding wasting medical resources
- Family factors (12.3%)
Many people choose to leave because they cannot bear to leave their families and feel that they have brought a huge burden to their families.
From the perspective of age groups, the older the age, the higher the proportion of support for euthanasia.
International Experience: Many Countries Have Legislated to Protect Euthanasia
Looking at the world, countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium, and Canada have legislated to protect euthanasia. These countries have set very strict conditions to ensure that this right is used reasonably.
Final Expectations
I know that discussing death is a heavy topic, and there is still a long way to go to change existing concepts. But I believe that as long as we face it bravely, we will be able to fight for a more dignified and autonomous choice for those who are tormented by illness.
Recalling the days spent with senior Fu Da-jen, he was always full of vitality, and even under the torment of illness, he did not forget to tell jokes to make everyone laugh. His last wish was that everyone could be spared from the torment of illness and have the right to die with dignity.
I sincerely thank you for this discussion, and I hope it can arouse more people's attention to this issue and bring a glimmer of hope to those who are suffering great pain.