British doctors lose right to be own watchdog
Straits times (world) 23/02/07

British doctors will lose the right to act as their own watchdog under government plans for Britain’s biggest medical regulatory overhaul in decades. The changes are part of the government’s response to the inquiry into how doctors failed to notice or raise the red flags in the case of Harold Shipman, the unassuming family physician who became Britain’s worst serial killer.
A report like this reflected the case that many doctors lack the passion in being one. Firstly, this doctor failed to prolong a patient’s life. Secondly, his counterparts lacked the empathy to notice his faults. Let’s say if euthanasia was legalized today. Would there be a higher incidence of unnecessary deaths? Yes, I guess it will, since such an incident took place despite strict medical regulations today. If euthanasia was legalized, doctors may just end a patient’s life without considering the chance that a miracle may occur. What more, to do a quick job so as to allow desperate patients who are eager for a transplant attain a donor. Nevertheless, I am appeased to know that Britain’s law enforcers have stepped up their security and attention to this matter.

Pick leaders on merit, not cultural affiliation
Straits times (home)/15/02/07

Should national leaders be chosen by their cultural affiliation or by their personal merits? In this case, the writer raised the point that he would rather vote for a decisive non Singaporean visionary than an indecisive and incapable Singaporean. However, in my opinion, if these Singaporeans were in the position to opt themselves as a national leader, he or she is no empty shell. Secondly, the writer had overlooked the importance in the tradition of having the ruler of the country to be affiliated culturally. Whether it is the powerful countries like America or Japan or the not so powerful ones, such traditions are still followed closely. Can you imagine if majority of our national leaders are made up of a group of foreign talents? Would the Malays still be able to obtain their subsidized school fees? Will the kids in school still be studying Singapore’s history or their mother tongue languages? The answer is most likely a no. If a decisive non visionary were to become our national leader, he or she will be too pragmatic to consider the importance of our local culture. After all, their main ambition is to deliver results and nothing more. It is a good thing I must say, but this will not last long. Eventually, our cultural roots will be gone too. Singapore, being a small country will get more vulnerable as time passes because Singaporeans will no longer respect their leaders.

British, US kids the worst off in rich world
Straits times (world)/15/02/07

According to statistics, British and US kids are the worst off in rich world. The measurement is done in accordance to their quality of life, which include the measure of material well being, health, education, relationships, behaviors, risks and their sense of happiness. In Britain, the kids lagged behind in poverty and deprivation, happiness and relationships. While in the US the kids lagged behind in their health and safety. Professionals have also studied the cause and it was due to being from a single parent home and having no or little attention. I guess the grass is always greener on the other end. Even though, these kids may possess material wealth, however, attaining their parent’s affection is something more difficult a task than anyone would have imagine. Such an outcome has also shown that a potential social problem may arise in these countries. At the end of the day, these kids are the future. Hence, If they are not brought up well in all aspects, the effect would be disastrous.

Parents sue state for bullied girl’s suicide
Straits times 080207

School violence has become one of the major problems many countries are facing. However, unlike other problems, no solution was being brought forward. Firstly, it may be due to the lack of concern or else, the root to the problem has not yet been discovered. Perhaps the main problem may lie in the educational system or our degrading environment we live in each day. School violence may seem minor to viewers, but not for the victims themselves. I suggest that her parents should react more objectively by discussing this problem with the state rather than to sue them. After all, it is not an effective solution since the problem will still remain standing. In addition, I totally disagree with respect to Japan’s Prime Minister’s decision to suspend all bullies from school in order to lower the rate of school violence. Could one just imagine if such a regulation is put to practice? Students who detest school will go all out to become bullies in order to quit school. Even then, Bullies will still have the chance to bully others outside school. Also, they will possess higher chances of becoming convicts in the future as they are being stripped of their opportunity to turn over a new leaf at the early stages. In my opinion, the prime minister is not addressing the problem at all. Rather, he is trying to satisfy his people through carrying out this hasty decision which will only superficially “solve” the problem.

An organ is different from a life-saving drug
Straits times/ forum 080207

Should an organ be encouraged for sale like a life saving drug? After all, they are both placed into similar use eventually. That is to treat illnesses. As much as I can identify with a terminally ill patient waiting for a donor, I believe that an organ is much more of a sacred “drug” as compared to medical drugs or machines. Drugs and medical devices are never part of their inventors or manufacturers. However, an organ is and it belongs to the donor. Furthermore, as much as drugs are invented with the desire for better humanity and profits, no one was ever born and raised with the purpose of selling his or her body parts. Therefore, with respect the sale of organs, I see a need for the lawmakers, together with medical professionals to come down to a fair and just decision. For, if the laws regarding the permitting of the sale of organs are passed down haphazardly, everyone will be going all out to steal each other’s organ and to sell it illegally. Eventually the world will become a dreadful place to live in.

Dad who punched son,9, over TV viewing jailed 6 weeks
Home/straits times/ 310107

“Unhappy that his nine year old son had watched television without permission, the man punched him” Basically, the main subject of this article was about child abuse.
Many readers always carry a misconception about such an article. That is, the victim is none other than the child. However, how true is this? I admit that a portion of the blame should be directed to his father for inflicting physical harm on him. Nonetheless, many have not considered the reasons as to why his father would raise his hands against his son? Sometimes, it may be an extreme case whereby his father eventually resorted to violence in order to keep his child in the right track.
However, his father was wrong in not correcting his son’s mistakes through verbal warning instead. Caning is not wrong, but excessive caning is. Hence, I feel that parents should know where their limits are when punishing their child.

For the love of Ashley
Review/Straits times/310107

The article was debating over the ethical issue to whether young girl, Ashley, who was mentally disabled, should be treated with hormones so that she could remain physically like a child. Both her parents explained that such a decision was made not for their convenience, but rather, to improve the quality of her life. However, some opposed to such an idea. They insisted that her parents were stripping away her dignity as a being by stunting her growth. In my opinion, the most important thing is for Ashley and her family to make a choice of what they are capable of enjoying. Therefore, if they could achieve this by stunting Ashley’s growth, it should be encouraged. If such a treatment could relieve Ashley from the physical pain during growth, and if her family should care and love her, the problem of self dignity will not stand in the way. I believe if Ashley was in the right frame of mind today, she would definitely not blame her parents for making such a decision.