The Assisted Dying Debate

Politicians, Lords, law makers, medical practitioners and religious groups are at logger-heads over the controversial issue of assisted dying. Lord Falconer, the former Secretary of State for Justice, has put forward a bill that would allow doctors to prescribe a lethal dose to terminally ill patients judged to have less than six months to live. Prime Minister David Cameron has said he is not “convinced” by the arguments for legalising assisted dying and more than 100 members of the House of Lords have asked to speak on the issue. Cambridge scientist Stephen Hawking and the former Archbishop of Canterbury have, on the other hand, waded in by pledging their support for a new bill. For Hawking, current legislation equates to ‘’discrimination against the disabled’’, as they are currently denied ‘’the right to kill themselves that able bodied people have’’. For many, such as journalist Kieran Turner-Dave, the recent debate has been long overdue, and one that should be of interest to those applying for Law, Medicine, Theology and PPE.