A woman from Shanghai with lupus chooses euthanasia in Switzerland

CHINA: A 43-year-old Shanghai woman known as “Shabai (沙白)” sparked heated debate on Chinese social media after announcing her decision to undergo euthanasia in Switzerland.

Shabai, who has been battling systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) for over 20 years, says she suffers from kidney failure as a result of the disease.

On October 23, Shabai uploaded a video in which she stated that she intended to end her life through euthanasia on October 24 at 10:00 a.m. in Switzerland.

In the so-called “last farewell film”, Shabai documents the last days spent with his father while traveling around Switzerland.

The film ended with an emotional farewell to her 80-year-old father, in which she assured him by saying, “I won’t bother you anymore.”

In the video, she said that her father took a long time to come to terms with her decision, ultimately expressing his support: “Go ahead, we’ll go together. Dad loves you and supports you. There is really no need to endure such senseless suffering.

Purportedly a graduate of the MBA program at the National University of Singapore

Shabai’s social media accounts have not been updated since the announcement, although her WeChat account remains active and comments can be posted there. However, users were unable to share her video.

ON LinkedInis identified as Elizabeth Zheng, a 2011-2013 graduate of the University of Shanghai in Architecture and MBA from the National University of Singapore.

At the age of 20, Shabai was diagnosed with lupus, a disease characterized by the immune system attacking the body.

Lupus, often called the “immortal cancer,” is difficult to treat and requires long-term treatment.

Since this year, Shabai has had seven exacerbations of the disease, which led to kidney failure requiring dialysis three times a week, lasting five to six hours each.

Despite the challenges, Shabai’s social media presence has remained intense.

She developed a relationship with her caregivers, teaching them English and styling her father’s hair.

Nevertheless, her resolution to euthanize persisted; in August she completed the necessary procedures in Switzerland and set a date of death, going there with her father in October.

A debate is breaking out about the value of life and the fight against disease

The decision sparked significant discourse among Chinese netizens, many of whom reflected on the value of life and the challenges of living with a serious illness.

Some expressed support for Shabai’s choice, while others criticized it as a lack of respect for life.

One Internet user commented on the Chinese social media platform Weibo: “A person cannot choose whether to come into this world, and most cannot decide when to leave it. Therefore, I fully respect the individual’s decision to leave this world in a dignified, optimistic and self-determined manner.”

One comment warned against media reporting on euthanasia, arguing that euthanasia is still essentially a form of suicide and that reporting it requires great caution.

The comment highlighted the risk of the “imitation effect”, suggesting that mishandling the product could lead to public panic. “Isn’t it Enough lesson from 13 consecutive suicides at Foxconn?” – the netizen asked, referring to past incidents as a reminder of potential consequences.

Concerns expressed about the woman’s father facing a lifetime of longing and sadness

The lawyer commented: “In the case of the Shanghai lupus patient who opted for euthanasia in Switzerland, public opinion has changed from yesterday’s blessings, sympathy and admiration to today’s criticism, confusion and rejection.

My position remains: “I don’t understand, but I respect her choice.” Her life is her own and she has the right to make her own decisions.

Her style of dress is fashionable and her way of thinking is progressive, but her missing teeth and the weathered face of her father tell me that this is not a wealthy family.”

The lawyer added: “She may leave, but her father may spend the rest of his life in longing and grief. I feel so sorry for this old man.”

Dealing with the ethical and legal challenges of euthanasia in China

Switzerland is considered the first country in the world to legally allow passive euthanasia, while in China, euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide face serious legal challenges.

In 2023 A A 70-year-old retired teacher at a hospital in Jiangsu Province he signed a living will to give up life-sustaining measures when they could only prolong the dying process.

The first known case ofeuthanasia in China appeared in 1986 when Chinese citizen Wang Mingcheng, after receiving news of his seriously ill mother, begged his doctor to end her suffering.

Despite initial reluctance from the doctor due to the potential professional consequences, they eventually complied with Wang’s requests and signed a waiver, which however led to legal problems when the patient’s relatives accused the doctor of murder, leading to their arrest.

Despite legislative proposals to legalize euthanasia in 1988, the topic gained renewed attention during the 2020 National People’s Congress, with over 80% of the public supporting its legalization, highlighting the ongoing complexities surrounding euthanasia in Chinese society.