Assisted suicide: activists continue to reject safeguards

Written by David Fletcher 13 Mar 2025
Assisted suicide: activists continue to reject safeguards

As the Assisted Dying Bill continues through committee review, concerns have grown over insufficient safeguards for vulnerable patients. MPs backing the bill have rejected multiple amendments aimed at preventing coercion, medical misjudgments, and unsafe practices. Despite warnings of ‘doctor shopping’, where patients seek multiple approvals until they find a doctor who consents, MPs voted against stricter oversight. Concerns were also raised over the lack of judicial review, meaning life-ending decisions could be made without proper legal scrutiny. Evidence from Oregon revealed serious complications and prolonged suffering in some assisted suicides, contradicting claims of quick and painless deaths. MPs rejected a proposal to require doctors to warn patients of these risks. Coercion remains a major concern, with an amendment requiring doctors to ask why patients are seeking assisted suicide being voted down. Many fear patients may feel pressured due to illness, loneliness, or financial burdens, rather than making a truly independent choice. With serious ethical and medical concerns unresolved, prayer is needed for wisdom, compassion, and support for the doctors, nurses and hospices on the front line.

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