GOVERNMENT opened what is likely to be a divisive national debate on Wednesday, on whether to legalise medical mercy killings. Opening the debate, Health Minister Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang told parliament that the country’s constitution enshrines both the right to life and the right to dignity, and that euthanasia straddles the two. Under existing law, doctors are forbidden to assist in the suicide of a terminally ill patient. But the South African Law Commission has proposed allowing doctors to switch off life support machines, withhold food and water and even administer lethal injections under certain circumstances.