Most MPs oppose the legalisation of assisted suicide says new poll
More than seven out of ten MPs refuse to back calls to legalise assisted suicide, according to a new survey released. It found that just 29% of MPs back moves to introduce assisted suicide, while 59% were opposed and 12% were undecided.
Liberal Democrats back Dutch style legislation
The Liberal Democrats have voted to back the legalisation of 'medically assisted dying', a euphemism for assisted suicide and euthanasia. The complex motion included an explanatory note which applauded the Dutch legal model, which a House of Lords enquiry in 2005 predicted would lead to 13,000 euthanasia deaths annually in Britain.
The Government has promised to pump £1.5 million into research exploring how to prevent suicides among those most at risk of taking their own lives. The pledge comes as ministers unveiled a new suicide prevention strategy (more detail including full report here) launched to coincide with World Suicide Prevention Day that is aiming to cut the suicide rate and provide more support to bereaved families.
BMA appoints strong advocate of euthanasia and assisted suicide as new deputy chair
The British Medical Association Council, the governing body of the UK doctors' trade union, has just elected a new deputy chairman. Dr Chand is a staunch advocate of legalising both assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Care Not Killing writes to Channel 4 over media guidelines
The Care Not Killing Alliance have written to Channel 4 over questions of breaching national and international guidelines on suicide portrayal and Ofcom rules on impartiality.
Official euthanasia deaths are rising year by year in the Netherlands
According to Dutch media reports, euthanasia deaths in the Netherlands in 2011 increased by 18% to 3,695. This follows increases of 13% in 2009 and 19% in 2010. Euthanasia now accounts for 2.8% of all Dutch deaths.
Warning to UK - Oregon Health Plan steers patients towards suicide
Dr Stevens talks about his patient, Jeanette Hall. He also describes how with legal assisted suicide, the Oregon Health Plan steers patients to suicide.
Care Not Killing welcomes the High Court ruling on the 'Tony Nicklinson' and 'Martin' cases
Pleas to change law in locked-in syndrome cases rejected: 'dispassionate court' gets it right- compassionately. David Foster comments on the ruling of the Nicklinson and Martin case.
Personal Stories:
Life with Locked in Syndrome. The media can focus on the negatives of disability by focusing on those who wish to end their lives. These good news stories have previously drawn attention to the fact that most people with 'locked-in syndrome' do not wish to die.
Son of Gary Parkinson comments on Locked in Syndrome: There is always something to live for, says son of soccer star who became 'locked in' after stroke.
Locked-in syndrome survivor tells his story: Richard Marsh tells his story about having locked-in syndrome.
Speeches from Care Not Killing Rally: Here are a collection of speeches from the CNK Rally held in July 2012.
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Personal Stories
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weakening in the law in relation to assisted suicide become increasingly
highlighted, a number of you are writing to the Care Not Killing Alliance with
your own experience of why you feel the law is best kept as it is. Send us your
own story to info@carenotkilling.org.uk. Please include whether or not you
are happy for your story to feature on our website, and visit our Personal Stories page.
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