Doctors have reaffirmed their opposition to assisted suicide following a debate at the BMA's Annual Conference in Liverpool.
Doctors rejected calls from Thameside doctor, Kailash Chand to change legislation to allow the choice of an assisted death by patients who are terminally ill and who have mental capacity.
Euthanasia : ‘Merciful’ Termination
Euthanasia is defined as 'the intentional killing by act or omission of a dependant human being for his or her alleged benefit'
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Doctors also rejected calls to ensure that those accompanying the patient at an assisted death, but not actively participating, will not be subject to criminal prosecution.
Dr Brian Keighley, Deputy Chairman of the BMA in Scotland, said:
"It is clear that doctors do not wish to play a role in assisting a patient's death. Assisting patients to die prematurely is not part of the moral ethos or the primary goal of medicine. If the legislation were to be changed, it would have serious negative consequences on the relationship between doctors and their patients.
![Assisted Suicide Laws Must Be Changed Says German Upper House]( "Assisted Suicide Laws Must Be Changed Says German Upper House")
The German upper house passed a motion on Friday calling for laws on assisted suicide to be tightened after a former politician caused outrage by helping an elderly woman to die.
"It remains vital that access to the best quality palliative care is available in order to ensure that terminal suffering is properly managed."
Independent MSP Margo Macdonald has secured sufficient support to introduce the End of Life Choices Bill in the Scottish Parliament. The BMA remains opposed to the principles of this proposed legislation.
Source: BMA
LIN
"It is clear that doctors do not wish to play a role in assisting a patient's death. Assisting patients to die prematurely is not part of the moral ethos or the primary goal of medicine. If the legislation were to be changed, it would have serious negative consequences on the relationship between doctors and their patients.
Assisted Suicide Laws Must Be Changed Says German Upper House
The German upper house passed a motion on Friday calling for laws on assisted suicide to be tightened after a former politician caused outrage by helping an elderly woman to die.
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"It remains vital that access to the best quality palliative care is available in order to ensure that terminal suffering is properly managed."
Independent MSP Margo Macdonald has secured sufficient support to introduce the End of Life Choices Bill in the Scottish Parliament. The BMA remains opposed to the principles of this proposed legislation.
Source: BMA
LIN
Washington to Legalize Assisted Suicide Law
Washington will become only the second US state to allow assisted suicide on Thursday as its new death with dignity law takes effect.
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 One Third Brit Docs Vying to Legalize Assisted SuicideOne in three Brit doctors believes that the law of not allowing terminally ill to end their lives should be changed, according to a new survey. | Advertisement
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