Limited support for divisive Scots assisted suicide Bill

The Scottish Parliament has been flooded with concerns about the risk of coercion to vulnerable people from Liam McArthur’s assisted suicide Bill.

Under the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, those aged 16 or over who have been resident in Scotland for at least twelve months could get help to kill themselves if they are deemed to be terminally ill.

The Holyrood’s Health Committee launched a call for evidence, and more than 6,700 explained in detail why they oppose a change in the law, including expressing the view that the Bill has potential to devalue vulnerable people.

Thoughtful opposition

The public were invited to submit either simple or detailed responses to the call for views. 74 per cent of the 13,820 people who only submitted general comments backed the proposals.

However, of the 7,236 respondents who took the time to give a fuller response, the overwhelming majority (93 per cent) opposed the Lib Dem MSP’s Bill.

In total, 49 per cent said they fully supported the introduction of assisted suicide, and 48 per cent strongly opposed the removal of current safeguards.

Sanctity of life

When respondents were asked which factors influenced their stance, the most commonly cited reasons for opposing the proposals were “risk of coercion of vulnerable people”, “sanctity of life”, and “devaluing lives of vulnerable groups”.

The Christian Institute warned Holyrood: “The Bill would usher in a major and hugely damaging change to Scottish society. It would mean that, for the first time, doctors could approve the intentional taking of life as an acceptable option for some.”

“The Bill’s supporters say it is about compassion. But true compassion for those who are deemed to be terminally ill means valuing their lives, giving them hope and supporting high-quality palliative care for all who need it. Making assisted suicide an option would inevitably put vulnerable people under pressure to consider that option.”

A Scotsman editorial reiterated the newspaper’s concerns about the Bill, saying it remains “unconvinced that potentially damaging, unintended consequences will be avoided”.

Doubts

Earlier this year, it was revealed that even Brits who support assisted suicide have serious doubts that it could be safely introduced.

The survey of 2,001 British adults by Whitestone Insight, on behalf of think-tank Living & Dying Well, showed that 42 per cent of those in favour of changing the law admitted there are “too many complicating factors to make it a practical and safe option”.

Moreover, half of pro-assisted suicide respondents agreed that removing end-of-life protections would fundamentally change the doctor-patient relationship.