Tags: AD
Ep 56: The Assisted Dying Bill 2021
Posted: Tue, 7th Sep 2021
The Assisted Dying Bill 2021 is likely to have its second reading this autumn. But how far should the law permit those who wish to die to be assisted by others in doing so?
In this episode, Emma Park speaks to two guests about the details of this private member's bill, its history and underlying principles.
Molly Meacher, Baroness Meacher, (02:13) is the promoter of the bill in the House of Lords and Chair of Dignity in Dying, a campaign group that supports AD for terminally ill patients with no more than six months to live. She discusses the key provisions of the bill and the rationale behind its numerous safeguards.
A.C. Grayling (19:24) is a philosopher, Master of the New College of the Humanities and a former Professor of Philosophy at Birkbeck. In a recent article for The Times, he argued that the right to be given help to end one's life should potentially be extended far beyond the case of terminally ill patients. He explores the considerations for and against reforming the law, and argues that the right to die is derived from the principle of personal autonomy.
Watch this episode on YouTube | Direct MP3 Link | Transcripts
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Podcast produced by Emma Park for the National Secular Society (2021). All rights reserved.
Ep 35: Dignity in Dying
Posted: Thu, 1st Oct 2020
In this episode, Emma Park speaks to Lloyd Riley, policy and research manager at Dignity in Dying, a not-for-profit organisation that campaigns for the legalisation of assisted dying in the UK. With him is Mick Murray, a member of Dignity in Dying who supported two dear friends with terminal illnesses when they were refused assistance to die in the UK, and accompanied them to Switzerland, where assisted dying has been decriminalised.
Lloyd and Mick argue that the time is ripe for UK laws to be changed to reflect the transformations in society, attitudes and medical knowledge that have occurred in recent years.
The NSS believes that decisions over assisted dying should be based on autonomy and medical ethics, not religious dogma. We therefore support campaigns to facilitate individuals' rights to seek a medically assisted death whether through legislative changes or judicial rulings.
Emma is also joined by Dr Antony Lempert, chair of the NSS Medical Forum, to reflect on the arguments for and against changing the law, the fearmongering of some religious leaders and their privileged role in the debate, the stance of the British Medical Association, and his own experience as a GP in palliative care.
Follow Emma on Twitter: @DrEmmaPark
Watch this episode on YouTube | Direct MP3 Link | Transcripts
Notes
- Religious campaigners shouldn't be able to veto the refusal of treatment
- Doctors' body drops opposition to assisted dying
- Poll: 84% of Brits would support legalisation of assisted dying
- Dignity in Dying
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