Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide

Recent high-profile cases of terminally ill patients such as Diane Pretty fighting for the right to assisted suicide have brought the euthanasia debate to the fore once more. Supporters assert that it should be an individual’s right to choose how and when they die. However, critics argue that legalisation would undermine the sanctity of life, leading to a slippery slope of poor-quality palliative care and vulnerable people being pressured into accepting a premature death. This books looks at the debate, including the potential implications of a change in the law and the role of advanced decisions. The information comes from a wide range of sources and includes government reports and statistics, newspaper articles, features, magazine articles and surveys, literature from lobby groups and charitable organisations.