{"id":45861,"date":"2025-06-21T18:34:45","date_gmt":"2025-06-21T13:04:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=45861"},"modified":"2025-06-24T15:38:05","modified_gmt":"2025-06-24T10:08:05","slug":"uk-assisted-dyin-bill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/21-06-2025\/uk-assisted-dyin-bill","title":{"rendered":"UK Assisted Dying Bill"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Polity\/Health\/GS4\/Ethics<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The U.K. House of Commons passed the<strong> Assisted Dying Bill <\/strong>to allow <strong>terminally ill people in England and Wales to end their lives.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The bill will only apply to people in England and Wales<strong> who have less than six months to live.&nbsp;<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A patient choosing to die would need to be of <strong>competent mind<\/strong> and <strong>two doctors, a psychiatrist, senior lawyer and social worker<\/strong> would need to sign off on their decision.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Advocates<\/strong> regard the new Bill as a <strong>humane and compassionate intervention<\/strong> that brings closure to a painful dependence on the immediate family.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Opponents<\/strong> are apprehensive that the severely disabled and vulnerable patients may feel forced to end their lives to relieve the burden on relatives.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is Assisted Dying?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Assisted dying refers to the <strong>act of helping someone intentionally end their life, <\/strong>typically to relieve suffering from a terminal illness or severe, untreatable pain.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>There are two main forms:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Assisted Suicide: <\/strong>A person, with the help of a medical professional or another person, takes their own life, usually by consuming a prescribed lethal dose of medication.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/12-09-2024\/ground-realities-of-passive-euthanasia-in-india\"><strong>Euthanasia<\/strong><\/a><strong>:<\/strong> A doctor or healthcare provider actively administers a lethal substance to end the life of a patient, typically at their request, to relieve extreme suffering.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Status Across the Globe&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The practice of assisted dying <\/strong>is highly controversial and is <strong>legal in only a few countries or regions,<\/strong> with strict guidelines and regulations where it is permitted.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Switzerland <\/strong>was the first country which in<strong> 1942<\/strong> legalised assisted dying.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Across Europe, six countries have some form of legalised assisted dying:<\/strong> Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain and Austria.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Later on the <strong>U.S., Australia and New Zealand<\/strong> enacted related legislations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Canada\u2019s 2016 Medical Assistance in Dying law<\/strong> may be availed even by those whose condition is not terminal.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is the position in India?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Supreme Court had in <strong>2018 legalised passive euthanasia,<\/strong> contingent upon the person having a \u201cliving will\u201d.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>SC held that the<strong> \u2018right to die with dignity\u2019<\/strong> forms a part of the <strong>right to life under Article 21 <\/strong>of the Constitution of India.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A <strong>living will is a written document<\/strong> that specifies the<strong> actions to be taken if the person is <\/strong>unable to make their own medical decisions in the future.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Goa is the first state that has formalised,<\/strong> to some extent, the implementation of directives issued by the Supreme Court.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In 2024, the <strong>Health Ministry released draft guidelines<\/strong> on withdrawing medical support for terminally ill patients.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>These specify that doctors must refrain from initiating life-support measures when they offer no benefit to the patient and are likely to cause suffering and a loss of dignity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"bebdbc\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"728\" height=\"382\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/06\/in-the-supreme-court.png\" alt=\"uk assisted dying bill\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-45862\" style=\"--dominant-color: #bebdbc; width:582px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/06\/in-the-supreme-court.png 728w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/06\/in-the-supreme-court-300x157.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 728px) 100vw, 728px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Arguments in Favour of Assisted Dying<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Autonomy and Choice:<\/strong> Individuals should have the right to make decisions about their own lives, including the choice to end it to avoid prolonged suffering.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Relief from Suffering:<\/strong> Assisted dying provides a compassionate option for those with terminal illnesses or unbearable pain, allowing them to die with dignity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Quality of Life:<\/strong> For some, the quality of life may deteriorate to a point where death is seen as a better option than living with constant suffering or loss of independence.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Respect for Individual Rights: <\/strong>People should have control over their bodies and lives, including the decision to end their life in a humane and controlled manner.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Arguments Against Assisted Dying<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Moral and Ethical Concerns: <\/strong>Many believe that taking a life, even at the person&#8217;s request, is morally wrong and goes against the sanctity of life.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Risk of Abuse: <\/strong>Vulnerable individuals, such as those with mental health issues or pressure from family, may be coerced into choosing assisted dying.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Medical Ethics: <\/strong>Healthcare professionals are traditionally bound to preserve life, and assisted dying may conflict with the fundamental role of doctors in healing and care.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Alternative Solutions: <\/strong>Advocates argue that palliative care and pain management can provide relief, making assisted dying unnecessary.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Way Ahead&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Stronger Regulations:<\/strong> Implementing strict legal safeguards to ensure it is only available to those who meet specific criteria.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Palliative Care Expansion: <\/strong>Improving access to high-quality palliative care to address suffering and reduce the demand for assisted dying.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Public Debate:<\/strong> Ongoing discussions about the moral, legal, and ethical implications of assisted dying, can be considered while framing the guidelines.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>International Perspective: <\/strong>Countries may look to those with legal assisted dying frameworks for guidance on effective regulation and safeguards.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mental Health Support: <\/strong>Providing psychological evaluations to prevent coercion or impulsive decisions and ensure informed consent is given.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/136518\/OPS\/GODEGF6FR.1+GTUEHHTDJ.1.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ebecf0\"><strong>Read this in Hindi:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs-hindi\/21-06-2025\/%e0%a4%af%e0%a5%82%e0%a4%95%e0%a5%87-%e0%a4%85%e0%a4%b8%e0%a4%bf%e0%a4%b8%e0%a5%8d%e0%a4%9f%e0%a5%87%e0%a4%a1-%e0%a4%a1%e0%a4%be%e0%a4%87%e0%a4%82%e0%a4%97-%e0%a4%ac%e0%a4%bf%e0%a4%b2\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs-hindi\/21-06-2025\/%e0%a4%af%e0%a5%82%e0%a4%95%e0%a5%87-%e0%a4%85%e0%a4%b8%e0%a4%bf%e0%a4%b8%e0%a5%8d%e0%a4%9f%e0%a5%87%e0%a4%a1-%e0%a4%a1%e0%a4%be%e0%a4%87%e0%a4%82%e0%a4%97-%e0%a4%ac%e0%a4%bf%e0%a4%b2\">\u092f\u0942\u0915\u0947 \u0905\u0938\u093f\u0938\u094d\u091f\u0947\u0921 \u0921\u093e\u0907\u0902\u0917 \u092c\u093f\u0932<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<h3><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">The U.K. House of Commons passed the Assisted Dying Bill to allow terminally ill people in England and Wales to end their lives.\u00a0<\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<h3><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">The bill will only apply to people in England and Wales who have less than six months to live.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">A patient choosing to die would need to be of competent mind and two doctors, a psychiatrist, senior lawyer and social worker would need to sign off on their decision.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Advocates regard the new Bill as a humane and compassionate intervention that brings closure to a painful dependence on the immediate family.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Opponents are apprehensive that the severely disabled and vulnerable patients may feel forced to end their lives to relieve the burden on relatives.\u00a0<\/li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/21-06-2025\/uk-assisted-dyin-bill\" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read\u00a0More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-45861","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45861","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=45861"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45861\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":46074,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45861\/revisions\/46074"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=45861"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=45861"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=45861"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}