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That day, Wang Mingcheng lay quietly in the ward, his face heavy and slightly pale, his eyes closed tightly, as if he would be on the verge of fainting at any moment. Although many medical staff rushed to prescribe various treatments for him in an attempt to delay the deterioration of his condition as much as possible, he realized that all his efforts were in vain.
"I'm afraid I won't be able to make it until dawn tomorrow. Wang Mingcheng said in a weak voice to his wife Wu Lirong beside him. Tears slipped down his haggard face, and deep in his heart he recalled the heartbreaking past 17 years ago.
Back in June 1986, Wang Mingcheng witnessed his mother Xia Suwen suffering from long-term illness in the hospital. As a patient with advanced liver cirrhosis, Xia Suwen has long lost the possibility of cure, and can only wait for the end of his life in endless pain.
As a son, Wang Mingcheng could not bear such great pain from his mother, and he repeatedly begged the attending physician Pu Liansheng to lend a helping hand and assist his mother in completing "euthanasia".
Although Dr. Pu Liansheng was adamantly opposed to this request at first, after repeated pleas by Wang Mingcheng, he finally agreed to assist Xia Suwen in achieving "euthanasia". Under the careful guidance of Pu Liansheng, intern I.M. Pei injected an appropriate amount of sleeping pills into Xia Suwen, who was in a coma, so that she could pass away peacefully.
However, this "euthanasia" incident did not end there. After learning the true cause of their mother's death, Wang Mingcheng's two sisters immediately sued Dr. Pu Liansheng in court, accusing him of intentional homicide.
After a lengthy legal process, Pu Liansheng was finally acquitted, but the trajectory of his life changed dramatically.
At this moment, Wang Mingcheng once again felt the pain and helplessness when his mother died. He couldn't forget that image, the despair of watching his loved one die in agony.
Now that the cycle of fate had befallen him, he longed for liberation. However, he knew that this time the doctors would never assist him in completing "euthanasia" again.
One day in June 1986, Wang Mingcheng's mother, Xia Suwen, took a turn for the worse and doctors issued a critical illness notice to her family. Facing his mother's painful moans and struggles, Wang Mingcheng's heart was filled with endless helplessness and despair.
On more than one occasion, Wang Mingcheng pleaded with the attending physician, Pu Liansheng, to help his mother through the extreme pain. With tears in his eyes, he told Dr. Pu Liansheng: "My only wish is for my mother to relieve the pain and leave us quietly and dignified."
As a doctor with rich experience, Pu Liansheng knew that Xia Suwen's condition was close to the brink of no cure, and after repeated consideration, he finally decided to meet Wang Mingcheng's request.
Under the guidance of Pu Liansheng, intern I.M. Pei injected an appropriate amount of compound hibernation spirit into Xia Suwen, who was in a deep coma. Immediately afterwards, Pu Liansheng solemnly reminded again that if Xia Suwen did not show signs of dying by 12 o'clock at night, he would need to be treated with medication again.
In the afternoon of the same day, Wang Mingcheng went to the hospital again to seek a prescription from a doctor and successfully completed the second injection.
At around five o'clock in the morning of the next day, Xia Suwen finally passed away in peace and peace. Although Wang Mingcheng's heart was filled with endless sadness, he also felt a trace of comfort because his mother was finally freed from the torment of pain.
However, the haze caused by this so-called "euthanasia" has not been far from Wang Mingcheng's life for only three months, and Wang Mingcheng has to face the lawsuit from his sisters.
The two older sisters could not accept their mother's death and were convinced that it was the product of a series of conspiracies. After a tortuous legal process, Dr. Po was acquitted, but his life was devastated.
For Wang Mingcheng, this unforgettable experience has undoubtedly become an indelible shadow on his life's journey, and he will never forget the painful struggle of his mother in the hospital, and the helplessness of begging doctors for help in "euthanasia" in despair.
Although the desired goal was finally achieved, the price was that he had to endure the accusations of his relatives and the judgment of the law. Regarding Xia Suwen's death, Wang Mingcheng's two sisters couldn't let go.
Convinced that this was not an accident, but an elaborate murder, they did not hesitate to take Dr. Pu Liansheng to court, accusing him of intentional homicide.
As Dr. Pu Liansheng, who resolutely assisted in the implementation of the "euthanasia" operation at that time, his heart was undoubtedly filled with extremely deep guilt and loneliness. Although his wish was only to alleviate the pain of his patient, Xia Suwen, so that she could stay away from the gloom of the world in peace and tranquility, he also understood that this was not a procedural approach.
In the face of the court's serious accusations, he had no choice but to defend himself with all his might.
"I just want to ease her pain so that she can pass away peacefully. I've never had the thought of hurting her. Pu Liansheng said tearfully in court.
He tried his best to explain that there was no other way out under the circumstances at that time, so he could only comply with Wang Mingcheng's earnest request to assist Xia Suwen in completing "euthanasia".
However, for his sister, this was by no means a legitimate defense. They firmly believe that this is a serious illegal incident, and Pu Liansheng should bear corresponding legal responsibility for it.
The long legal process has tormented Pu Liansheng, and his heart is filled with endless guilt.
Although the court eventually acquitted Pu Liansheng, his life changed dramatically. He lost his original job, and his family and colleagues were very angry with him.
"If I could turn back the clock, I would first seek approval from my superiors, or even seek assistance from relevant agencies such as the Health Bureau. I vowed never to be involved in such an incident again, and even if someone was willing to pay me $1 million, I would definitely not do so.
Pu Liansheng said with emotion in an interview.
For Pu Liansheng, this incident has brought irreparable scars to his life. Although he was finally acquitted, the remorse in his heart has always been with him, and it is difficult for him to let go.
He is also well aware that even if it is done in good faith, any form of "euthanasia" can incur severe punishment if it is not authorized by law. This painful lesson will stay with him for the rest of his life.
After nearly 500 days and nights of suffering, Pu Liansheng was finally acquitted. However, the trajectory of his life has long been turned upside down.
Pu Liansheng, who lost his original job, is in a difficult situation. Not only did his family have a strong dissatisfaction with him, but even his colleagues at the hospital kept him away.
"My life has fallen into endless darkness, and I am deeply ashamed and remorseful!" Pu Liansheng revealed to reporters.
In the face of an interview with a CCTV reporter, Pu Liansheng bravely retraced the unforgettable past for the first time. According to him, at that time, he was driven by a strong sense of responsibility and decided to assist Wang Mingcheng in implementing the "euthanasia" plan.
However, he never expected that this decision would have such a profound impact on his life.
"I couldn't stand idly by as I watched Wang Mingcheng kneel and plead, begging me to help his mother out of pain. Pu Liansheng was full of emotion, "However, this decision has brought irreparable pain to my life." "
Now, time flies, and Pu Liansheng still firmly says that he will never get involved in such incidents again. Even if someone is willing to pay up to 100,000 yuan or even 1 million yuan in honorarium, he will not hesitate to refuse.
Instead, he would choose to seek approval from his superiors or seek assistance from relevant agencies such as the health department.
"Euthanasia" is undoubtedly a highly controversial issue. On the one hand, there is widespread sympathy for those suffering from illness and a desire for them to die in a more peaceful way.
However, on the other hand, there are also many people who are worried that once "euthanasia" is legalized, it may trigger criminal activities in their name.
For Pu Liansheng, this experience has undoubtedly become the most unforgettable chapter of his life. Although he was eventually acquitted, the honor did not bring him the slightest joy.
On the contrary, it has made his daily life extremely difficult.
This experience made Pu Liansheng deeply reflect on his original decision. He recognizes that even in good faith, any act of "euthanasia" can face severe sanctions without legal permission.
This painful lesson made him unforgettable for the rest of his life, and it also made him firmly state that no matter how much temptation anyone gave him, he would stick to the bottom line and never participate in similar incidents again.
At a time when Pu Liansheng was deeply troubled by self-blame, another figure closely related to the "euthanasia" incident, Wang Mingcheng, was also experiencing another ordeal in his life.
In 2001, when Pu Liansheng was publicly interviewed by the media, we learned that another patient, Wang Mingcheng, unfortunately suffered from stomach cancer. Despite his 100-fold perseverance and active cooperation with treatment, the disease was relentless and his condition continued to deteriorate, which was worrying.
It wasn't until 2003 that a heavy examination report revealed the cruel reality like a bolt from the blue: the cancerous cells had spread to his entire abdominal cavity!
Faced with such a severe predicament, Wang Mingcheng once again ignited his desire for "euthanasia". He carefully prepared a spare room and looked forward to spending his last days in peace in the comfort of his home, without having to endure endless pain and suffering in the hospital.
"I simply couldn't afford the high cost of medical care, and I didn't want to put too much of the burden of caring for my beloved wife. Let me spend my last days at home in the company of my family and friends.
Wang Mingcheng said helplessly to the doctor.
However, this time, the doctors did not help as generously as Pu Liansheng did back then, agreeing to help him realize his wish for "euthanasia". They have always adhered to the bottom line of the law, believing that this is an illegal act and cannot provide such a "service" to Wang Mingcheng.
Wang Mingcheng, who was unable to carry out "euthanasia" as he wished, finally had to choose to give up treatment and let the disease wantonly devour his life. On August 2, 2003, he deeply felt that the flame of life was gradually being extinguished.
"I'm afraid I won't survive the dawn of tomorrow. Wang Mingcheng said to his wife in a weak voice. At this moment, the sad picture of his mother Xia Suwen who witnessed the death of his mother Xia Suwen 17 years ago resurfaced in his heart.
At that time, he at least had the help of a doctor, so that his mother could pass away peacefully. Now, however, he himself is unable to attain the same "liberation".
Under heavy mental pressure, Wang Mingcheng finally fell into a deep coma. At 3:30 a.m. on August 3, 2003, his breathing stopped forever.
For Wang Mingcheng, these 17 years are undoubtedly a bitter memory. He had begged doctors to "euthanize" in order to alleviate his mother's pain, but now he could not get such "relief".
This helplessness and despair undoubtedly exacerbated his dying pain.
Wang Mingcheng's experience has undoubtedly become a vivid microcosm of China's "euthanasia" problem. This controversial topic has not only aroused heated discussions from all walks of life, but also highlighted the many challenges faced by the mainland in this field.
In the midst of the interweaving of human morality and emotion, each of us deeply understands and sympathizes with those who are suffering from illness and who desperately need to be free from their illness and find peace and tranquility.
For example, Mr. Wang Mingcheng once expressed his wish that his mother would suffer less and leave this world quietly and with dignity.
For these people who expect to be "euthanized", all they seek is a dignified way to die.
On the other hand, we cannot but be vigilant that once "euthanasia" is legalized, it may lead to criminal acts in its name that deprive others of their lives. As many of the problems revealed in China's first euthanasia case, even if doctors assist patients in "euthanasia" out of compassion, they may face accusations from family members and severe punishment from the law.
Therefore, how to accurately define "voluntary" and prevent ethical and moral risks has undoubtedly become an extremely challenging and urgent task. Even in some developed countries and regions, this issue is still fraught with controversy and disagreement.
For China, however, the issue is undoubtedly more complex and sensitive. Judging from the current situation, the popularization of medical professional knowledge and skills, the completeness of the comprehensive medical security system, as well as the social ethics and morality and the technical aspects related to "euthanasia" are not enough to provide sufficient support and guarantee for the "legalization of euthanasia".
Although some deputies to the National People's Congress put forward a proposal to promote the "legalization of euthanasia" in 2022, if it is blindly implemented before the time is ripe, I am afraid that it will only lead to more unbearable tragedies.
Potential "manslaughter", as well as serious "murder", can occur irregularly in the so-called "euthanasia" process.
This situation is undoubtedly heart-wrenching and difficult to accept. As Dr. Pu Liansheng said, even if the conditions are not fully met, it can lead to a series of tragedies against the will of the patient.
Therefore, we must be cautious about this issue and ensure that the legalization of "euthanasia" can be gradually promoted on the basis of the wide recognition of the public and the improvement of relevant laws and regulations.