It penalises explicit coercion where individuals have manipulated the gravely ill to prematurely end their life will be sentence to a maximum of 14 years in jail, which I find is insufficient as I believe that to be comparable to murder. More critically, it neglects the issue of implicit persuasion, which I believe poses a greater risk. Vulnerable individuals may misconstrue signals from caregivers and loved ones, feeling they are a burden and should choose assisted suicide to relieve their loved ones of responsibility. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood shares this perspective, warning of a “slippery slope towards death on demand”, where financial and emotional pressures overshadow the option of palliative care.
Secondly, I’m concerned regarding the predictability of life expectancy, which the bill requires to be six months or less in order for assisted dying to be an option. Individual variability, unpredictable events and the impact of mental well-being are all factors that make prognosis models incredibly uncertain.
I think of a close family friend diagnosed with a debilitating cancer and given months to live. Despite the grim prognosis, she fought hard and responded well to treatment, even briefly going into remission before sadly succumbing, passing away three years later. Those years allowed her to come to terms with her mortality, say goodbye to loved ones, and enjoy her final days—time she likely wouldn’t have had if assisted dying had been an option when she first faced the terrifying diagnosis.
I genuinely worry that pre-emptive death will become the favourable option for those with terminal illnesses, that palliative care will fall to the wayside and become a lesser, secondary option.
I genuinely worry that pre-emptive death will become the favourable option for those with terminal illnesses, that palliative care will fall to the wayside and become a lesser, secondary option. Health Secretary Wes Streeting echoes this sentiment, cautioning the bills introduction as it may decrease the emphasis on hospice care and potentially consume resources that otherwise would’ve been designated to end of life care.
Lastly, although this bill focuses on terminal patients, I worry it could expand beyond its original intent. There is precedence for this, with countries like the Netherlands, Canada, Belgium, and Colombia broadening their euthanasia programs, which I fear the UK will replicate.
Ultimately, I am not against the proposition of assisted suicide. In fact, I think in many cases it’s clearly the ethical option to legalise instead of penalising those who want to die on their own terms, however, I think the implementation and ramifications need to be deeply considered.