Wales: Care Not Killing disappointed at Senedd's approval of LCM on assisted dying

Senned Chamber. WIki Image by: Mx Granger

Source: Care Not Killing

Care Not Killing (CNK), is disappointed at the approval by the Senedd of the "dangerous" Legislative Consent Motion on assisted dying today.

Dr Gordon Macdonald, CEO of Care Not Killing, commented: "Naturally, we are disappointed by the approval of this dangerous Legislative Consent Motion, especially given the growing chorus of concern about the assisted suicide bill in Westminster. Indeed, since the last time MSs expressed opposition to assisted dying, many doctors' groups, disability rights groups and eating disorder charities have spoken out against the Leadbeater/Falconer Bill, denouncing it as dangerous and unworkable.

"Changing the law to legalise either assisted suicide or euthanasia in the UK would place huge pressure, real or perceived, on terminally ill, disabled people and those suffering conditions such as clinical depression or having suicidal thoughts to end their lives prematurely, exactly as we see in the handful of places that have legalised assisted suicide or euthanasia.

"Just look at the US State of Oregon, the model for the proposed legislation. Since the change in the law, a majority of those who have opted for assisted suicide cite the fear of being a burden on their families, friends, caregivers and finances as a reason. There are other problems too.

"Conditions including eating disorders such as Anorexia and insulin-dependent diabetes qualify for an assisted death. At the same time, there is real concern about the death-row drugs being used to terminate life. As Professor Joel Zivot, the celebrated anti-death penalty campaigner found, the myth that somehow using these drugs leads to a quick a painless death is for the birds. Evidence from Tennessee, which uses the same drugs to kill criminals, suggests the inmates die from drowning in their own secretions or what doctors call a pulmonary oedema. The Professor goes on to explain why in US executions, even though the person is sedated first, before the lethal cocktail of drugs is administered, the authorities have to strap down both the person's hands and even their fingers to stop them moving as the body fights against the sensation of drowning."

Dr Macdonald concluded: We need to care for people who are suffering, not encourage them or provide them with a mechanism to end their lives. This is why we champion the extension of high-quality palliative care to all those who need it and better support for their families. This is the real progressive agenda, and why argue for care not killing."

Care Not Killing is a UK-based alliance bringing together over 40 organisations - human rights and disability rights organisations, health care and palliative care groups, faith-based organisations groups - and thousands of concerned individuals.

We have three key aims:

to promote more and better palliative care;
to ensure that existing laws against euthanasia and assisted suicide are not weakened or repealed;
to inform public opinion further against any weakening of the law.

If you would like to talk with someone about issues raised in this article, the Samaritans are available 24 hours a day. Call free on 116 123 or visit: www.samaritans.org

Read more about Care Not Killing: https://carenotkilling.org.uk/