Debate on Physician Assisted Suicide

Question 1

What is euthansia?

Answer 1

The deliberate taking of another person’s life to relieve their suffering

Question 2

What is assisted suicide?

Answer 2

The situation where a competent person ends their own life but with the assistance of another person to perform the act, such as by providing the means to do so

Question 3

Are advanced directives the same legally?

Answer 3

No, there are different legal positions across the UK

Not legally binding in Scotladn but is legally binding in England and Wales

Question 4

Where are the terms “advanced directive” and “advanced decision” used?

Answer 4

“Advanced directive” - Scotland

“Advanced decision” - England and Wales

Question 5

What does an advanced decision/directive detail?

Answer 5

Can detail treatment refusal where it would not be possible to communicate wishes:

• Treatments being refused must be named in the advanced decision
• Situations in which the treatment would or wouldn’t be accepted must be named

Question 6

Why are advanced directives not legally binding in Scotland?

Answer 6

Scotland the “Adult with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000” requires past and present wishes of the person to be taken into account and this would require taking any advanced directive an individual has made

Question 7

What is an advanced statement?

Answer 7

An advanced statement explains an individual’s wishes by talking or writing about them to anyone involved in their care or their family, these are not legally binding

Question 8

Are advanced statements legally binding?

Answer 8

No

Question 9

What is the current situation of euthanasia and assisted suicide outside of the UK?

Answer 9

• Forms of assisted suicide are legal in a growing number of countries
• Euthanasia is also now legal in many countries where there is capacity

Question 10

What is euthanasia considered as inside the UK?

Answer 10

Manslaughter or murder

Question 11

Is suicide a criminal act?

Answer 11

• Suicide is no longer a criminal act
  
  • But remains a criminal offence for a 3^rd party to assist in England and Wales
  • There is no specific law in Scotland

Question 12

Right now, does the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) and Royal College of General Practitioners believe the law on assisted dying should be changed?

Answer 12

They believe it should noto be changed and this is most popular opinion amonst members

Question 13

What has allowed a debate about whether an assisted suicide offence in compatible with human rights legislation to take place in courts?

Answer 13

• Contradicts the right of respect for private and family life under Article 8 of European Convention on Human Rights

Question 14

What are some common arguments about assisted dying?

Answer 14

Alternative arguement

Ethical arguement

Pragmatic arguement

Medical ethics arguement

Slippery slope arguement

Religious arguement

Question 15

How is the legallity of euthanasia and physician assisted suicide changing across the world?

Answer 15

They are increasingly being legalised, but both remain rare and primarily involve patients with cancer