Legalising Assisted Dying in the UK: Arguments and Perspectives

This essay examines the contentious issue of legalising assisted dying in the United Kingdom. It begins by defining assisted dying and explaining the author's choice of topic, highlighting the UK's current legal stance as 'barbaric'. The essay provides a historical overview of the relevant laws, including the Suicide Act of 1961 and attempts to reform these laws, while also presenting statistical data on suicide rates. It explores arguments from both sides of the debate, including the views of Alice Haynes, who supports legalisation, and Alastair Thompson, who opposes it. The essay also reviews key court cases related to assisted dying in the UK, such as the cases of Diane Pretty, Paul Lamb, Jane Nicklinson, and Omid, and discusses the potential consequences of legalisation. The conclusion reiterates the UK government's current position against assisted dying, emphasizing the value of life and the advancements in medical science. References to supporting literature are also provided.

Should assisted dying be
legalised in the UK.

INTRODUCTION
Assisted dying is the practice where a person who is suffering
from any incurable and painful condition wants to take their
own life, specially with the use of lethal drugs or medicines
which are provided by the doctors or medical units for the
purpose.

Why I choose this topic.
The reason behind choosing this topic is, Assisted-dying laws
are progressing in some places and the UK isn't one of them.
UK laws on assisted dying is 'barbaric' (brutal, fierce). As the
law on assisted dying in the UK is often up for the debate.

Right, Laws regarding Assisted Suicide.
'Right to Die'
1961 – The Suicide Act decriminalises suicide in the United
Kingdom, however, assisted suicide remains illegal in the
country.
2015 – For making assisted dying legal parliament conducted
voting session, nut the plan fail 330 to 118 votes.

Suicide Act in 1961
As per the, Suicide Act, suicide was decriminalised in 1961,
but it remains a criminal offense in United Kingdom, to
encourage the other people to quit their lives. The one who
break this law, is treated as a criminal can have to suffer the
prison of approximately 13 years.

Continued
In and out of the Parliament of United Kingdom, there have
been numerous attempts taken to change this law. As
government, mention there is no dignity in dying, the one
should face the problems and try to overcome them.

Ratio's
 Suicide is one of the prominent reason behind the premature mortality worldwide.
 Suicidal tendencies in males is much more than females since 19-20 centuries.
 In 1930's suicidal tendencies took a huge rise in each and every age group.
 Female suicidal ratio increased in 1960s (11.7 per 100 000 approximately)
 2004 and 2006 5.3 and 2.2 % of suicides because of painful diseases and
incurable illness

Should the Law be 'Reformed' ?
Two views on this topic by Alice Haynes and Alastair
Thompson.
Alice Haynes – says yes, it's time to bring the revolution and
apply changes.
 Those who have incurable and painful illness should have
rights to choose peace rather than painful life.
 They should have freedom to choose their death over pain.

Continued
Alastair Thompson – care should be provided to the one
who is vulnerable.
 Dying is not the solution
 Their is no dignity in ending life
 Care and concern can heal the one.

Some major discussions regarding, Assisted Dying
in United Kingdom courts
2002 – After loosing a case in Human Rights Court to provide
legal sanction regarding assisted suicide, just after 2 weeks
Diane Pretty was died.
2015 – In 2015, the case brought in to the court by Paul Lamb
and Jane Nicklinson to change the law regarding assisted
dying sees rejection in The Human Rights Court.
2017- Patient names Omid, looses a case regarding right to
die in the court he further takes his case to high court
regarding the same.

What if ' assisted dying' were legalised ?
Patients who suffer from incurable illness and painful
diseases asked for death to end the problems of their lives, but
as everyone knows dying is not the solution of any problem.
If 'assisted dying' will be legalised it de-motivates the person
towards the hopes and bliss of their lives.

Continued
It is the issue that is divided into so many opinion, thoughts
and ideas of every individual varies from one another. The
one who is in favour thinks it is right and the another one
thinks no, it is absolutely wrong to give legal permission to
one, to end their lives.

CONCLUSION
This presentation is about the legal sanction and permission
regarding the assisted dying in United Kingdom, and it has
been seen that, government of United Kingdom is not in
favour of this since last so many years, it is because life is
very meaning and blissful thing and no one has right to end it,
as it is not solution. The medical science is improving minute
after minute these days and all there is no as such diseases
that are totally incurable.

REFERENCES
English, T., 2018. Should doctor assisted dying be legal?.
BMJ. 360. p.k562.
Davis, J., 2018. Most UK doctors support assisted dying, a
new poll shows: the BMA’s opposition does not represent
members. BMJ. 360. p.k301.
Frost, T. D.,2014. Should assisted dying be legalised?.
Emanuel, E. J., 2016. Attitudes and practices of euthanasia
and physician-assisted suicide in the United States, Canada,
and Europe. Jama. 316(1). pp.79-90.