Dignitas, a physician-assisted death organization based in Switzerland, is urging the British parliament to legalize assisted death. Silvan Luley, a staff member at Dignitas, argued that it is “inadequate and incoherent” that the UK has not legalized the practice, pointing out that Dignitas has helped to end the lives of 540 British individuals, making up more than one in seven of all its assisted deaths.
Under the Suicide Act 1961, it is illegal to encourage or assist a person in suicide in England and Wales. Luley believes that changing the law would provide a sense of safety for people and doctors, resulting in considerable improvement. He referred to death by assisted suicide as “the last human right” and emphasized that it is already happening, so it should be legalized. Apparently, he is not concerned that patients in Canada, for instance, are being offered euthanasia instead of actual medical treatment, because letting people have themselves killed is much more cost-efficient that regular medical care.
Opponents of assisted suicide – that is, people who still have some common sense and basic regard for the value of human life – argue that legalizing assisted death could lead to increased elder abuse, as has been the case in Australia, New Zealand, USA and the Netherlands and that the focus should be on improving palliative care. Canada’s experience with physician-assisted suicide is cited as an example, and scholars warn that it has led to increased discrimination against disabled individuals. People are rightly concerned that access to disability services and outpatient psychiatric treatment could be lacking, yet individuals would still qualify for assisted death.
A recent survey released by the British Parliament revealed the struggles faced by those with disabilities and their caretakers due to an increased cost of living. More than 10,000 people responded to the survey, with two-thirds of them having disabilities. The responses painted a heartbreaking picture of individuals who feel neglected and deprived of basic needs. These solvable problems, such as access to care and support, could significantly improve their quality of life.
British disability rights activist Jane Campbell highlighted the fear that assisted suicide instills in disabled individuals who rely on doctors and caregivers for help and support. They rely on their faith in life to give them hope and the strength to overcome barriers.
As the debate surrounding assisted suicide in the UK continues, Dignitas shamelessly pushes for legalization, having its own profit in mind rather than actual rights and dignity of people –the right to proper medical care, for example, and the right to live in dignity, with proper palliative care and broad support of society, in stead of being killed off to reduce the costs of insurance, medical care, housing, food, etc.