Suicide to be legalised?

Assisted suicide could be offered to terminally ill people, with effective legal safeguards, according to a Demos Commission chaired by Lord Falconer QC, the former Lord Chancellor.

The Commission on Assisted Dying has proposed a legal framework under which a dying person, following the assessment and support of two independent doctors, can be prescribed a dose of medication to end their life.

Its 400-page report, published this week following an extensive year-long review, sets out eligibility criteria including that the person is at least 18, has a terminal illness, is making a voluntary choice, has the mental capacity to make that choice, and that their decision is not impaired by a mental health problem such as depression or by pressure from friends or relatives.

However, the Commission does not advocate euthanasia—one of the recommended criteria is that the person is able to take the medication themselves so they can clearly demonstrate their agreement.

It expressed concern that assisting suicide is an “amateur activity”, with no safeguards in place for those who seek, or feel under pressure to seek, assistance.

The Commission sets out safeguards for any future legislation, including ensuring the person has been fully informed of all other treatment and care options, that there is safe storage and transportation of lethal medication, and that there is monitoring and regulatory oversight by a national monitoring commission with investigatory powers.

Currently, assisting someone’s death is a criminal offence, although there have been no prosecutions since the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) published their policy on the issue in February 2010. More than 40 cases of assisted suicide have been reported to the DPP since then.