In England, Lord Falconer’s Assisted Dying Bill will receive its Second Reading in the House of Lords on Friday, 18 July 2014. This would apply to England and Wales – the Scottish have their own legal system.
The principles of the Bill will be debated and, subject to opposition, voted on. It is broadly similar to the laws passed already — and operating — in Oregon, Washington and Vermont states.
The Westminster Parliament has been debating versions of assisted dying laws on and off since l936. Perhaps at last they will make up their minds?
In the little research that I have done on euthanasia and physician-assisted death, I have come to take a pro stance on physician-assisted death. I feel that having the right to die, to die with dignity, and to not have to suffer in endless pain should all be human rights that we have by law.
I find it interesting that England has been debating assisted death for so long.
According to a survey study performed back in 2008, 70-80% of the general United Kingdom (UK) population approves of physician-assisted death, but majority of caregivers to the elderly and terminally ill strongly oppose any changes in the laws surrounding assisted death. The fact that bills supporting assisted death keep making their way into the Parliament hopefully means that those in the past who opposed legalization have now moved toward the belief in a merciful approach to caring for dying patients.
Desiree Trujillo