Time for change

doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7518.681

BMJ 2005;331:681-683 (24 September), doi:10.1136/bmj.331.7518.681

Education and debate

Taking the final step: changing the law on euthanasia and physician assisted suicide

Time for change

M A Branthwaite, retired barrister¹

¹ London SW1P 2QD

Doctors in the United Kingdom can accompany their patients everystep of the way, up until the last. The law stops them helpingtheir patients take the final step, even if that is the patient'sfervent wish. Next month's debate in the House of Lords couldbegin the process of changing the law. To help doctors decidewhere they stand we publish a range of opinions

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Introduction

Two widely publicised medicolegal cases in the United Kingdom^1
2have prompted renewed debate about the moral and legal validityof providing assistance to die (box 1).³ The debate has beenfuelled by publication of the report of a House of Lords selectcommittee set up to consider the Assisted Dying for the TerminallyIll Bill⁴ and final determination by the US courts that hydrationand nutrition could lawfully be withdrawn from a patient ina persistent vegetative state.^5
6

Proposed legislation

The UK bill provides for a competent adult who has resided inGreat Britain for at least one year and is suffering unbearablyas a result of a terminal illness to receive medical assistanceto die at his or her considered and persistent request (box2). The bill also incorporates various qualifying conditionsand safe-guards to protect the interests of patients and clinicians.

The proposed change should be supported as a matter . . . [Full text of this article]

Public opinion

Professional opinion

Experience in other jurisdictions

Select committee report

Conclusion

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This article has been cited by other articles:

Harris, D, Richard, B, Khanna, P (2006). Assisted dying: the ongoing debate.. Postgrad. Med. J. 82: 479-482 [Full text]
Foster, C. A (2005). Time to legalise assisted dying?: What autonomy really means. BMJ 331: 841-842 [Full text]
Baxter, M. (2005). Time to legalise assisted dying?: Use of Baxter products in figure for physician assisted suicide was inappropriate. BMJ 331: 842-842 [Full text]

Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

Fear of legalised assisted suicide: Alison Davis
bmj.com, 23 Sep 2005 [Full text]
Definitions and Medical Euphemisms: Mick Tarry
bmj.com, 25 Sep 2005 [Full text]
So much of the debate has not been needed: Gareth C Payne
bmj.com, 25 Sep 2005 [Full text]
Why not a team of specialists?: Raj K Mohindra
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bmj.com, 27 Sep 2005 [Full text]
It is not as simple as Mr Braithwaite believes: Graham H. Charkham
bmj.com, 27 Sep 2005 [Full text]
Fudging the distinction: A. Joseph R. Shaw
bmj.com, 27 Sep 2005 [Full text]
Couldn't we all agree that frail, dependent people usually consider themselves 'a burden'?: John D Holden
bmj.com, 28 Sep 2005 [Full text]
Legalizing euthanasia/assisted suicide decreases incentive to care for symptoms: Kenneth R. Stevens, Jr., M.D.
bmj.com, 28 Sep 2005 [Full text]
Euthanasia will destroy trust in doctors: Michael R Jarmulowicz
bmj.com, 29 Sep 2005 [Full text]
Society's role in assisted dying debate: Jane E Seymour
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Euthanasia- no change in legislation required: Joseph M O'Neill, et al.
bmj.com, 30 Sep 2005 [Full text]
Opposition to change: william r primrose
bmj.com, 30 Sep 2005 [Full text]
We must also listen to patients when considering the issue of assisted death: Alison B. Chapple
bmj.com, 30 Sep 2005 [Full text]
The lesson of history from Shipman and German psychiatry should warn society and doctors against euthanasia: James D M Douglas
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Re: We must also listen to patients when considering the issue of assisted death: Colin Brewer
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Physicians beware - this legislation will affect your practice: Susan P Closs
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Patient autonomy and assisted death are unrelated: John C Chambers
bmj.com, 7 Oct 2005 [Full text]
Yes, time for change.: Donal Martin
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no need for a change in the law: Bernard Choi
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Educate the Young about Dying: Renate P. Wright
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