Topic: Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide
Resources in this topic
New resources on ‘assisted dying’ (assisted suicide and euthanasia)
August 6, 2026
The Augustine Bioethics Network is making available more resources on assisted suicide and euthanasia, some of which specifically relate to a Bill introduced in the House of Commons that would legalise a doctor to encourage or assist the suicide of a patient with a progressive illness that could be terminal if untreated. On Friday 11
Writing or speaking to your MP
August 6, 2026
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill introduced by Lauren Edwards MP would make it legal for a doctor to encourage or assist the suicide of someone with a ‘terminal illness’ (which would include conditions that people could live with for years with appropriate treatment and support). The Bill is a ‘Private Members’ Bill’,
Eight Reasons Why We Must Not Legalise ‘Assisted Dying’
ABN Papers
February 9, 2026
1) It overturns a fundamental principle of law and medicine ‘Assisted dying’ [1] is the intentional ending of the life of a patient by a doctor (‘euthanasia’) or a patient ending their own life with a lethal drug supplied by a doctor for this purpose (‘assisted suicide’). These practices violate the prohibition of intentional killing, which is
Defining the Terms of the Debate: Euthanasia and Euphemism
ABN Papers
February 11, 2026
Summary The debate concerning whether to legalise voluntary euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide is complicated by a variety of different terms, often developed euphemisms, for the realities under discussion. This leads to confusion, and requires clarification. Euthanasia is the ending of a patient’s life by their physician, but important distinctions remain between whether this voluntary, involuntary,
Suicide Prevention: Does Legalising Assisted Suicide Make Things Better Or Worse?
ABN Papers
February 11, 2026
Summary Promoting euthanasia or assisted suicide (EAS) seems to contradict the principle that ‘every suicide is a tragedy’. It has also been argued that the normalisation of EAS might encourage non-assisted suicide. On the other hand, others argue that legalisation of EAS could help prevent suicide. This is because there are people with terminal illnesses who die by
Evidence of Harm: Assessing the Impact of Assisted Dying / Assisted Suicide on Palliative Care
ABN Papers
February 11, 2026
Executive Summary i. The aim of this paper is to examine critically the evidence given in support of the conclusion in the House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee 2024 Report on Assisted Dying / Assisted Suicide [AD / AS] that they ‘did not see any indications of palliative and end-of-life care deteriorating in quality
Wrong Side of the World: The Misplaced Reliance on Australia in the UK Debate on ‘Assisted Dying’
ABN Papers
February 11, 2026
Executive Summary Parliamentary Committees in Scotland and in England have been considering Bills that would legalise ‘assisted dying’ (meaning physician-assisted suicide). One striking feature of the conduct of these Committees is the heavily skewed evidence both have taken from pro-assisted suicide witnesses from Australia. This is problematic for a number of reasons: There is clear
An Equal Opportunity to Live: Analysis of ‘The Impact of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill II’
ABN Papers
June 15, 2026
Executive Summary The Department of Health and Social Care, together with the Ministry of Justice, has produced an assessment of the impact of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill on people with protected characteristics as set out in the Equality Act 2010. The equality IA claims to take ‘a neutral stance on the
Ending Life as Cutting Costs: Analysis of ‘The Impact of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill I’
ABN Papers
June 15, 2026
Executive Summary The Department of Health and Social Care has produced two Impact Assessments and one Memorandum on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. This paper concerns the first of these, which focuses on the financial costs and cost reductions of implementing the Bill. The financial IA considers evidence from other jurisdictions but
A Human Right to Suicide Prevention: Analysis of ‘The Impact of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill III’
ABN Papers
June 15, 2026
Executive Summary The Memorandum presents the Government’s view that the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill is compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). However, the Memorandum is not a statutory ‘statement of compatibility’. A major flaw in the Memorandum is that it fails to consider suicide prevention. The right to suicide