Intended for healthcare professionals

Rapid response to:

Editorials

Assisted dying

BMJ 2012; 344 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.e4075 (Published 13 June 2012) Cite this as: BMJ 2012;344:e4075

Rapid Response:

Re: Assisted dying

I read with interest Fiona Godlee's Editorial on this subject. Having practised before and after David Steel's Abortion Act of 1966, I see a strong parallel. We were assured then[1966], that termination would only occur under extreme circumstances, with many safeguards, but we all know it has become 'abortion on demand.'

I fear the same would occur with assisted suicide. Soon it would be regarded as an elderly patient's 'duty' to request, either for the sake of family inheritance or to save the state the burden of care. As a profession we must resist this very slippery slope with all our power.

Competing interests: No competing interests

22 June 2012
Ronald NC Douglas
Retired GP
Former Partner in Greater Glasgow
31 Burnhead Road. G43 2SU