THE Advance Medical Directive Act was passed in 1996 but so far only about 10,000 Singaporeans have signed the document to indicate that they do not want to be subjected to extraordinary life-sustaining treatment when they are dying.
The government is looking into how it can encourage more to consider the end-of-life issues and sign an AMD if they want the option.
I suspect the muted response so far to the AMD is a reflection of the reluctance on the part of Singaporeans to contemplate their own death.
When I asked my friends if I could ask their elderly, ailing parents about euthanasia, they shooed me away, saying that it was bad luck to talk about death.
My own elderly relatives avoided me when they found out that I was working on a special report on euthanasia.
But it is a debate that we have to have sooner rather than later.
The reality is that Singapore faces a fast ageing population. By 2030, one in five will have reached the age of 60.
The majority will at some point face a terminal illness and the modern medicine can confirm the diagnosis and help one manage the symptoms, but not provide the cure.
I admit, euthanasia is a highly charged emotive issue. It is an issue that most certainly divides a room
But after talking to several people, both from the pro and anti euthanasia camps, there is no right and wrong in this issue.
We may feel that it goes against some fundamental belief on the sanctity of human life, but when faced with someone racked with with continuous severe pain and suffering, knowing that there is no cure in sight, our views may change.
Most Singaporeans I polled on the issue are fence-sitters. They say they are against legalising euthanasia for now, but at the same time would like to have such an option available when they are faced with a long-drawn out painful illness.
The instinctive response to disallow euthanasia is due to the fear of uncharted territory. Many are fearful of allowing euthanasia or physician assisted suicide because of the abuses it can lead to.
I agree the right to die debate is a maze with many twists and turns that lead to an ethical no man's land.
How does one ensure that patients opting for euthanasia are truly informed, that their outlook is hopeless and that others aren't deciding their life has lost its value?
What of someone whose death isn’t imminent but wants to die anyway?
If we are going to debate this issue then we must accommodate divergent, deeply held personal beliefs.
Whatever the answer, it requires a full and informed debate.
It is after all, a matter of life and death.
Read more from Sandra Davie in this week's edition of the Straits Times Saturday Special report.