Voluntary euthanasia is a debate that keeps coming back. Authors here have touched on it several times (e.g. here, here, here). There are strong arguments on either side (for the record I am strongly in favour of legalising euthanasia).
The latest round of debate has been triggered by Maryan Street’s “End of Life Choice Bill”. Interesting news recently, that public support for such a measure seems to be growing:
Strong public support for euthanasia
The MP campaigning for the right to die has been buoyed by a poll that shows more than 85 per cent of respondents to a survey supported voluntary euthanasia.
The Sunday Star-Times reader poll of more than 1000 people also found almost three-quarters of people would help a terminally-ill loved one commit suicide, and that support for a law change is highest among men, and those over 60. Labour MP Maryan Street has been working with the Voluntary Euthanasia Society on her End of Life Choice Bill, which would give people the right to “choose how and when they exit this life”.
Apart from church groups, the only organisation to speak out against the Bill (as far as I know) is the Medical Association:
A fresh attempt to get a form of euthanasia onto the statute books is having no impact on the The Medical Association. It’s firmly against doctors helping patients end their lives. …
Ms Street says no doctor could be compelled to assist someone to end their life. Medical Association Chair Paul Ockelford says even so, euthanasia is unethical and cannot be condoned by the Association as a professional body. At the same time, he says the Association is not in a position to oppose individual doctor’s decisions.
I wonder if the views of the Association adequately reflect the views of its members. Perhaps it is time for the Association to consult them.
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