Medscape UK report: More UK doctors oppose than support assisted suicide.

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

The Medscape UK 2020 ethics report found that more UK doctors oppose assisted suicide than support assisted suicide. The Medscape report was based on online responses from 1355 UK physician.

The Medscape question asked:

Should physician-assisted suicide or 'physician-assisted dying' be made legal for the terminally ill - or for those who say they have irredeemable suffering, even if the disease may not be terminal for many years?

42% said No, 37% said Yes and 22% said it was a grey area. It is notable that 55% of the GP's said No.

Dr Gordon Macdonald

Dr Gordon Macdonald, Chief Executive of Care Not Killing commented, in March 2020 on the Royal College of General Practitioners decision to uphold their opposition to assisted suicide by stating:

'Just look at what is happening in Canada, which introduced assisted suicide and euthanasia in 2016. Since then around 13,000 people have been killed. Then in September, the Quebec Superior Court struck down the requirement that a person be terminally ill before they qualify for euthanasia in Canada, allowing those with chronic conditions and mental health problems to have their lives ended. 

'But even before this court ruling there had been problems. In July a depressed, but otherwise healthy 61-year-old man, was euthanised in the province of British Columbia. Alan Nichols, a former school caretaker who lived alone was admitted to Chilliwack General Hospital, BC. Despite not being terminally ill, he received a lethal injection. Alan's case is not isolated. 

'The problems in Canada are not unique. This summer, a major US report from the National Council on Disability, found the laws in the handful of States that had gone down this route, were ineffective and oversight of abuse and mistakes was absent. 

'This is an important report as those championing assisted suicide in this country, put forward a model based on Oregon and Washington - Yet in both States a majority of those ending their lives cite fear of becoming a burden a reason. 

'The current laws that prevent assisted suicide and euthanasia do not need changing.'

Euthanasia and assisted suicide laws give doctors, the right in law, to cause the death of their patients. 

Canada's experience with legalized assisted dying is the prime example of how these laws will expand over-time.