More than 1,000 doctors have written to Members of Parliament (MPs) in England and Wales, urging them to vote against the assisted dying bill. This bill would allow terminally ill patients with a life expectancy of six months or less to end their lives on their own terms.
Concerns Raised by Medical Professionals
The doctors, who work across the National Health Service (NHS), have expressed serious concerns over the proposed law change. In a joint letter sent this week, they stated:
"This bill is not the answer. We urge you all strongly oppose it."
Notable Signatories
The signatories include prominent medical professionals such as:
- Sir John Burn: A geneticist who has led decades of cancer research.
- Sir Shakeel Qureshi: Knighted for his work in paediatric cardiology.
- Professor Aileen Keel: Former deputy chief medical officer for Scotland.
- Baroness Finlay: A leading figure in palliative care.
Key Arguments Against the Bill
These experts argue that while there should be public discussion about how society approaches death at its most vulnerable moment, they believe that this bill does not provide:
- Adequate safeguards
- Sufficient evidence regarding its safety or efficacy
They emphasized that:
"This Bill is not just bad policy but deeply flawed. It fails on multiple counts: it lacks clear criteria for eligibility; it ignores issues around mental capacity and consent; it does not address palliative care needs nor provide adequate support for those bereaved by suicide."
Lack of International Evidence
The doctors also pointed out that there are no international comparisons available that demonstrate any benefit from legalizing assisted dying in countries where it has been introduced.
Public Opinion and Opposition
In contrast to the concerns raised by doctors, some MPs report that more than 90% of constituents who contacted them support the introduction of assisted dying laws into UK law. However, Dr. David Nicholls, a physician, noted that he had received thousands of letters opposing legalization from patients with terminal illnesses. He stated:
"I’ve had thousands of letters from people saying ‘Please don’t do this’. They’re worried about coercion by family members or partners."
He added:
"There’s no way we can ensure someone isn’t being coerced into taking their own life."
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