Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Will medically assisted dying become legal in Britain?

The Telegraph has the story: Assisted dying must be legalised, demand key figures

"Political leaders must agree a plan to legalise assisted dying as one Briton a fortnight is now travelling abroad to end their lives, an alliance of prominent figures from across public life warns today.
In a letter to The Daily Telegraph, some 80 doctors, writers, actors, clerics and politicians say an “overwhelming majority” of the public now supports a change in the law and that Parliament must allow time to finally resolve the issue.
The signatories, which include Lord Carey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury and Ian McEwan, the author and winner of the Booker Prize, argue that Britain is “closer than ever” to a historic change after progress in the House of Lords on a Bill tabled by Lord Falconer, the former Lord Chancellor."
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In related news from England:
Right-to-die campaigner and MS sufferer Debbie Purdy - who forced the government to publish rules on assisted suicide - dies aged 51

  • "Debbie Purdy has died aged 51 at Marie Curie Hospice in Bradford
  • Was one of most outspoken activists in legal battle over assisted suicide
  • She won a landmark ruling in the House of Lords in 2009 resulting in a guidelines on assisted suicide being published by the government
  • She had been refusing food as she wanted to 'control' her death
  • Her husband has paid tribute to 'a much loved wife, sister, aunt and friend' "


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