Today, the House of Commons will debate the legalization of assisted suicide, after a petition garnered the required 100,000 signatures.
On this issue, there is evidence of a striking disparity between public opinion and that of members of Congress. A YouGov poll conducted last year found that while 73% of respondents believed assisted suicide for terminally ill patients should be legalized, only 35% of MPs agreed.
As per the Suicide Act of 1961, assisting someone in committing suicide is a crime punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
In April, the most recent attempt to change the law failed in the House of Lords because the government did not allow enough time for it to pass through its various legislative stages.
Henry Marsh, one of the leading brain surgeons in the United Kingdom who is dying of cancer, has demanded an immediate investigation into the matter.
He stated that: “Several individuals, including myself, fear the loss of autonomy and dignity that frequently accompanies death. I’ve likely operated on hundreds of patients with advanced prostate cancer that has spread to the spine. This results in progressive paralysis.
“Consequently, many men with prostate cancer pass away paralyzed, doubly incontinent, and bedridden. I want a choice in the matter of how I can say “enough is enough” if this occurs.
“I want to get it over with in the comfort of my own home, surrounded by my family.”
On this issue, there is evidence of a striking disparity between public opinion and that of members of Congress.
A YouGov poll conducted last year found that while 73% of respondents believed that assisted suicide for the terminally ill should be legalized, only 35% of MPs agreed.
Others argue that improving palliative care is the solution, not changing the law.
Dr. Mark Pickering of the advocacy organization Cares Not Killing stated: “Many of the heartbreaking stories driving the assisted suicide debate involve people who did not receive the appropriate palliative care and did not have access to the best support at the time of their or their loved ones’ deaths. We need to fix that immediately.”
In Scotland, Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur has introduced legislation that would legalize assisted suicide for terminally ill patients.
Several nations, including the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Spain, Canada, and New Zealand, as well as several U.S. states such as California and New Jersey, have legalized assisted suicide.
