Additional Material/ Latest Developments/ Statistics

Ronald Dworkin On Assisted Suicide

In the Article, the “Philosophers Brief on Assisted Suicide”, Dworkin and other authors argue that there is no
moral difference between killing and letting die. They argue that existence of a right to refuse treatment
also implies a right to assistance in suicide. If letting die is allowed, then assisted suicide should also be allowed.
Dworkin argues that the moral difference in actions is based upon the intentions of the person. In case of
letting die (situations such as Bland, where doctors stop treatment) and assisting in suicide, the intention of the
doctor is the same. The doctors have intended to cause death. If that is the case, and the law have allowed
letting die, then the law should also allow PAS.

Certain Statistics and Latest Developments on Assisted Dying

The UK Assisted Dying Coalition has collected figures showing that more than one person a week now
travel from Britain to Switzerland to end their life.

The MDMD survey asked respondents whether it would be correct to allow assisted suicide in a number of
circumstances. It found that 93% of the public would consider medical help acceptable in some situations,
including when the person is suffering from an incurable illness that will eventually cause their death.

The organisation’s chief executive, Dave Osmond, said: “These results show that the gulf between our
politicians and the public is widening, as assisted dying becomes increasingly acceptable. Time and
time again we have told our decision-makers that the right to choose the manner and timing of your own death
is a fundamental human right. Yet, time and time again, their inaction has let down families like my own.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/mar/03/legalise-assisted-dying-for-terminally-ill-say-90-
per-cent-of-people-in-uk

Germany overturns ban on professionally assisted suicide

The head of Germany's constitutional court, Andreas Vosskuhle, said on Wednesday that while parliament
could pass laws on preventing suicide and increasing palliative care, it was not entitled to affect the impunity of
assisted suicide.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-51643306

What European countries say about assisted dying and euthanasia

 The Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg permit euthanasia and assisted suicide in some, strictly
regulated circumstances
 Switzerland permits assisted suicide if the person assisting acts unselfishly
 Portugal is currently considering plans to legalise euthanasia