Our first THINK debate of the new academic year will focus on the legal, medical and ethical issues around the movement to legalise assisted dying in the UK.
THE FACTS…
A recent poll showed that 82% of Britons were in favour of a changing the law so that terminally ill adults can have the option of assisted dying.
Yet opponents of ‘physician-assisted suicide’ stress the risks to vulnerable members of society, such as the elderly and people living with severe disabilities.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Is it possible to create safeguards in the law to protect vulnerable people from ending their lives?
Canada legalised assisted dying but a recent court ruling rejected some of the precautions built into the law, declaring them to be in conflict with fundamental human rights.
What lessons should we learn from Canada and other countries that have legalised assisted dying?
Is the UK sliding down a slippery slope towards Death on Demand?