Britain’s Parliament Voted for Legalising Assisted Dying

Syllabus: GS2/Polity/Health/GS4/Ethics

Context

Britain’s House of Commons voted by a majority to legalise assisted dying — a less controversial synonym for assisted suicide in England and Wales.

The Bill seeks to give terminally ill, mentally competent adults who have less than six months to live a reliable method of forecasting survival.
- Any such request must be authorised by two doctors and a High Court judge.
Current Law:
- Suicide, (self-inflicted death), or attempted suicide are not in themselves criminal offences in England and Wales.
- Conversely, an act that encourages or assists a person to commit suicide or attempted suicide is a criminal offence that carries a 14-year prison sentence under the 1961 Assistive Suicide Act.
Advocates regard the new Bill as a humane and compassionate intervention that brings closure to a painful dependence on the immediate family.
Opponents are apprehensive that the severely disabled and vulnerable patients may feel forced to end their lives to relieve the burden on relatives.

Assisted dying refers to the act of helping someone intentionally end their life, typically to relieve suffering from a terminal illness or severe, untreatable pain.
There are two main forms:
- Assisted Suicide: A person, with the help of a medical professional or another person, takes their own life, usually by consuming a prescribed lethal dose of medication.
- Euthanasia: A doctor or healthcare provider actively administers a lethal substance to end the life of a patient, typically at their request, to relieve extreme suffering.
The practice of assisted dying is highly controversial and is legal in only a few countries or regions, with strict guidelines and regulations where it is permitted.
- Switzerland was the first country which in 1942 legalised assisted dying. Later on the U.S., Australia and New Zealand enacted related legislations.
- Canada’s 2016 Medical Assistance in Dying law may be availed even by those whose condition is not terminal.

The Supreme Court had in 2018 legalised passive euthanasia, contingent upon the person having a “living will”.
- SC held that the ‘right to die with dignity’ forms a part of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
- A living will is a written document that specifies the actions to be taken if the person is unable to make their own medical decisions in the future.
- Goa is the first state that has formalised, to some extent, the implementation of directives issued by the Supreme Court.
Recently, the Health Ministry released draft guidelines on withdrawing medical support for terminally ill patients.
- These specify that doctors must refrain from initiating life-support measures when they offer no benefit to the patient and are likely to cause suffering and a loss of dignity.

Autonomy and Choice: Individuals should have the right to make decisions about their own lives, including the choice to end it to avoid prolonged suffering.
Relief from Suffering: Assisted dying provides a compassionate option for those with terminal illnesses or unbearable pain, allowing them to die with dignity.
Quality of Life: For some, the quality of life may deteriorate to a point where death is seen as a better option than living with constant suffering or loss of independence.
Respect for Individual Rights: People should have control over their bodies and lives, including the decision to end their life in a humane and controlled manner.

Moral and Ethical Concerns: Many believe that taking a life, even at the person’s request, is morally wrong and goes against the sanctity of life.
Risk of Abuse: Vulnerable individuals, such as those with mental health issues or pressure from family, may be coerced into choosing assisted dying.
Medical Ethics: Healthcare professionals are traditionally bound to preserve life, and assisted dying may conflict with the fundamental role of doctors in healing and care.
Alternative Solutions: Advocates argue that palliative care and pain management can provide relief, making assisted dying unnecessary.

Stronger Regulations: Implementing strict legal safeguards to ensure it is only available to those who meet specific criteria.
Palliative Care Expansion: Improving access to high-quality palliative care to address suffering and reduce the demand for assisted dying.
Public Debate: Ongoing discussions about the moral, legal, and ethical implications of assisted dying, can be considered while framing the guidelines.
International Perspective: Countries may look to those with legal assisted dying frameworks (e.g., the Netherlands, Canada) for guidance on effective regulation and safeguards.
Mental Health Support: Providing psychological evaluations to prevent coercion or impulsive decisions and ensure informed consent is given.

Source: TH

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