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Assisted Dying Bill: MPs debating the 'right to die' Assisted Dying Bill: MPs debating the 'right to die'
(35 minutes later)
A passionate debate on the "right to die" is taking place in the House of Commons.A passionate debate on the "right to die" is taking place in the House of Commons.
MPs are discussing proposals to allow adults with six months to live in England and Wales to end their lives with medical supervision. MPs are discussing proposals to allow adults in England and Wales with six months or under to live to end their lives with medical supervision.
Some have argued it would allow a "dignified and peaceful death" while others say it is "legally and ethically totally unacceptable".Some have argued it would allow a "dignified and peaceful death" while others say it is "legally and ethically totally unacceptable".
David Cameron says he is not in favour of a step "closer to euthanasia".David Cameron says he is not in favour of a step "closer to euthanasia".
Under the proposals, people with less than six months to live could be prescribed a lethal dose of drugs, which they have to be able to take themselves. Two doctors and a High Court judge would have to approve every case. Under the proposals, people with fewer than six months to live could be prescribed a lethal dose of drugs, which they have to be able to take themselves. Two doctors and a High Court judge would have to approve every case.
It would not allow a person with a non-terminal disability or with dementia to be assisted to die. Medical professionals would be entitled to refuse to be involved.It would not allow a person with a non-terminal disability or with dementia to be assisted to die. Medical professionals would be entitled to refuse to be involved.
The bill is being brought before the Commons by Rob Marris, the Labour MP for Wolverhampton South West.The bill is being brought before the Commons by Rob Marris, the Labour MP for Wolverhampton South West.
After the debate, MPs could then vote on assisted dying for the first time since 1997.
LIVE: Watch the assisted dying debateLIVE: Watch the assisted dying debate
Opening the debate, he said the current law did not meet the needs of the terminally ill, families or the medical profession.Opening the debate, he said the current law did not meet the needs of the terminally ill, families or the medical profession.
He said there were too many "amateur suicides, and people going to Dignitas" and it was time for parliament to debate the issue because "social attitudes have changed".He said there were too many "amateur suicides, and people going to Dignitas" and it was time for parliament to debate the issue because "social attitudes have changed".
Mr Marris added: "The law in England and Wales has not got the balance right.Mr Marris added: "The law in England and Wales has not got the balance right.
"This Bill would provide more protection for living and more choice for the dying." "This Bill would provide more protection for the living and more choice for the dying."
Mr Marris said he did not know what choice he would make if he was terminally ill, but said it would be comforting to know that the choice was available "to have a dignified and peaceful death at the time of my choosing".Mr Marris said he did not know what choice he would make if he was terminally ill, but said it would be comforting to know that the choice was available "to have a dignified and peaceful death at the time of my choosing".
Fiona Bruce, the MP for Congleton, said the bill was so completely lacking safeguards for the vulnerable that "if this weren't so serious it would be laughable".Fiona Bruce, the MP for Congleton, said the bill was so completely lacking safeguards for the vulnerable that "if this weren't so serious it would be laughable".
Her impassioned speech concluded: "We are here to protect the most vulnerable in our society, not to legislate to kill them. This bill is not merely flawed, it is legally and ethically totally unacceptable."Her impassioned speech concluded: "We are here to protect the most vulnerable in our society, not to legislate to kill them. This bill is not merely flawed, it is legally and ethically totally unacceptable."
The Conservative MP Caroline Spelman added that "the right to die can so easily become the duty to die" and she said the law already provided protection for the elderly and disabled.The Conservative MP Caroline Spelman added that "the right to die can so easily become the duty to die" and she said the law already provided protection for the elderly and disabled.
She was one of many MPs to argue that it was difficult to determine whether someone had six months to live.She was one of many MPs to argue that it was difficult to determine whether someone had six months to live.
She also warned: "[The bill] changes the relationship between the doctor and their patient, it would not just legitimise suicide, but promote the participation of others in it."She also warned: "[The bill] changes the relationship between the doctor and their patient, it would not just legitimise suicide, but promote the participation of others in it."
In a lengthy speech, Labour MP Sir Keir Starmer told MPs about prosecution guidelines he developed in his role as director of public prosecutions, when he had to deal with a number of 'right to die' cases including Debbie Purdy and Tony Nicklinson.
But he warned that his guidelines had shortcomings without a change in the law.
He said: "We have arrived at a position where compassionate amateur assistance from nearest and dearest is accepted, but professional medical assistance is not unless you have the means of physical assistance to get to Dignitas.
"That, to my mind, is an injustice we have trapped within our current arrangements."
Prime Minister David Cameron is not present at the debate, but a spokesman said: "The Prime Minister has made his views clear on this issue before, he is not convinced that further steps need to be taken and he is not in favour of an approach that would take us closer to euthanasia."Prime Minister David Cameron is not present at the debate, but a spokesman said: "The Prime Minister has made his views clear on this issue before, he is not convinced that further steps need to be taken and he is not in favour of an approach that would take us closer to euthanasia."
Mentally competent Where others stand on assisted dying
Mr Marris won a private member's bill ballot in June guaranteeing time in the chamber for the legislation.Mr Marris won a private member's bill ballot in June guaranteeing time in the chamber for the legislation.
After the debate, MPs could then vote on assisted dying for the first time since 1997.
However, the government is not backing the bill so it may struggle to become law.However, the government is not backing the bill so it may struggle to become law.
In the last parliament, Lord Falconer put forward an Assisted Dying Bill in the House of Lords, but it ran out of time before the 2015 general election.In the last parliament, Lord Falconer put forward an Assisted Dying Bill in the House of Lords, but it ran out of time before the 2015 general election.
The law on assisted dying around the UKThe law on assisted dying around the UK
Euthanasia, which is considered as manslaughter or murder, is illegal under English law.Euthanasia, which is considered as manslaughter or murder, is illegal under English law.
The Suicide Act 1961 makes it an offence to encourage or assist a suicide or a suicide attempt in England and Wales. Anyone doing so could face up to 14 years in prison.The Suicide Act 1961 makes it an offence to encourage or assist a suicide or a suicide attempt in England and Wales. Anyone doing so could face up to 14 years in prison.
The law is almost identical in Northern Ireland.The law is almost identical in Northern Ireland.
There is no specific law on assisted suicide in Scotland, creating some uncertainty, although in theory someone could be prosecuted under homicide legislation.There is no specific law on assisted suicide in Scotland, creating some uncertainty, although in theory someone could be prosecuted under homicide legislation.