SMA's Response to Straits Times Articles "The very informative article, 'Death by decree: An issue that will live on' (ST, March 28), discussed the Terri Schiavo case, and stated in the last paragraph: 'Since 1975, euthanasia through terminating life support (including the removal of feeding tubes) for a person in a vegetative state has become increasingly acceptable within the medical community...'. Most, or almost all, of the article referred to an event occurring in the United States. However, because the author was writing in a Singapore newspaper for a mainly Singaporean audience, some readers might by mistake think that he was referring to the attitudes of the medical community in Singapore. The Singapore Medical Association does not believe that there has been any change in attitudes towards euthanasia within the medical community here. We do not support euthanasia. On the contrary, more and more doctors within Singapore are learning about, and practising, better palliative care. Dr Lee Pheng Soon ANDY HO REPLIES: The context of my column is clearly American as it pivots on the tragic Terri Schiavo case - and nothing else. There was absolutely no allusion to Singapore or doctors who practise here.
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