1. THE RIGHT TO DIE

2. What is Euthanasia?
Euthanasia refers to the deliberate
killing of a person supposedly for
the benefit of that person. It is
sometimes termed “mercy killing”.
Current campaigns are focused
on VOLUNTARY EUTHANASIA.
This is where a person makes a
conscious decision to die and asks
for help to do this.

3. In 2004 Dignity in Dying asked the question:
“Do you think a person who is suffering
unbearably from a terminal illness should be
allowed by law to receive medical help to die,
if that is what they want?”
82% of people who responded said yes
ASSISSTED DYING FOR THE TERMINALLY ILL BILL
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200405/ldselect/ldasdy/86/86i.pdf

4. Dignity in Dying campaigns for
Voluntary Euthanasia to be made
legal in Britain.
They believe that if a patient with
an incurable disease has signed a
declaration then doctors should
be allowed to help that person to
die peacefully. http://www.dignityindying.org.uk/
They argue that voluntary euthanasia is quick and humane way to
end a person’s unbearable suffering and that of the family.
They believe that everyone has the ‘right’ to decide how and
when he or she should die.

5. The Current Law in the UK
VOLUNTARY EUTHANSIA IS ILLEGAL IN THE UK
Voluntary euthanasia is treated as murder even if the person
dying has asked for assistance to die from their doctor.
What does this mean?
If a doctor at the patient’s request gives him or her a
lethal injection then this would be classed as MURDER.
If a doctor places the lethal injection by the patient’s
side and the patient injects him or herself the doctor
would be charged with ASSISTED SUICIDE.
Many people would like to see this changed.

6. The Current Law in the UK
The Suicide Act of 1961
stated that anyone that
assists in a suicide could
receive up to 14 years
in prison.
However 92 Britons have gone abroad to Dignitas in
Switzerland (where Voluntary Euthanasia is legal).
No family member has been prosecuted for helping.
http://www.dignitas.ch/index.php?lang=en
Dignitas have clear criteria that must be met.

7. Clarification Needed?
Due of the inconsistencies between the
law and prosecution pressures groups
and individuals, such as Debbie Purdy,
have tried to get the law clarified.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/la
#
She launched a case to clarify whether or
not her husband would risk being
prosecuted if he helped her travel to a No
Dignitas clinic in Switzerland to die.
guidance
Purdy's case ended on in 2009 with the
decision that the Director of Public
has yet
Prosecutions had to clarify how the been
Suicide Act 1961 is to be enforced in
England and Wales published

8. Assisted Dying Bill 2006
Lord Joffe's bill, which had its second reading on Friday 12th May
2006, proposed that after signing a legal declaration that they
wanted to die, a patient's doctor could prescribe a lethal dose of
medication that the patient could take themselves in order to end
their life. This could only be done if the following applied:
•Only people with less than six months to live
•who are suffering unbearably
•deemed to be of sound mind
•not depressed
The House of Lords unanimously rejected any change in the law to permit euthanasia,
arguing “It would be next to impossible to ensure that all acts of euthanasia were truly
voluntary and that any liberalisation of the law was not abused.”

9. Why might someone oppose a change in
legislation surrounding Euthanasia?
One of the main arguments against legalising
euthanasia is that it even if we come up with very
strict criteria of when it can be used, within time
this will become more and more lenient.
However evidence for the Netherlands suggests
that this will not happen.
DOCTOR-AIDED SUICIDE: No Slippery Slope, Study Finds
http://
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070926191348.htm

10. Support in Parliament
“I sincerely believe that everyone has the right to
die with dignity and understanding.”
(Mo Mowlam, Former Cabinet Minister)
“I am writing to let you know of my support for
your campaign to legalise voluntary
euthanasia.”
(Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London in a letter
to Dignity in Dying)

11. The British Medical Association dropped its historic
opposition to euthanasia during 2005, adopting a
neutral stance on the issue.
Doctors are no longer against changes to the law which
would allow terminally ill patients to be helped to die.
"The BMA should not oppose legislation which alters
the criminal law but should press for robust
safeguards both for patients and for doctors who not
wish to be involved in such procedures."

12. Famous Cases
“I have tried every type of
medical treatment offered. If I
am allowed to choose when and
how I die I will feel that I will
have kept hold of my dignity.
That is how I want my family to The European Court of Human
Rights ruled on Monday that
remember me-as someone who terminally-ill Diane Pretty did not
have the right to die.
respected the law and asked in http://
turn for the law to respect my news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/1958270.stm
rights”
Diane Petty Dies
(DIANE PETTY, mother of two, motor http://
neurone disease sufferer. Diane lost her news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/1983457.stm
case at the court of human rights.)

13. Videos to watch for more information
Arguments for changes in the law
http://
www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/argument-for-legalised-voluntary-
Doctors argue about legislation
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/doctors-explain-the-pros-an
Ann Turners story
http://
www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/a-story-of-assisted-suicide/459.htm
Should people be allowed to die? (radio discussion)
http://
news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_7677000/7677533.stm

14. http://www.campaignfordignityindying.org/

15. http://www.compassionindying.org.uk/compassion-in-dying-downloads.htm

16. http://www.soars.org.uk/

17. http://www.friends-at-the-end.org.uk/

18. Opposition Organisations
http://www.notdeadyetuk.org/index.html
http://www.carenotkilling.org.uk/
http://www.dyingwell.org.uk/