Assisted dying should be debated in parliament, says Herts Uni professor
A change in law is currently being discussed in Scotland
Fresh calls to legalise assisted dying have been heard across England, including in Hertfordshire.
A change in law is being debated in Scotland, while the Isle of Man and Jersey could see a change come into effect by the end of the year.
There are concerns, however, that legalising assisted dying on British Isles could create what a Lecturer at the University of Hertfordshire, Claudia Carr, labels a 'two-tier care system', whereby disparities in care would emerge for those choosing to die in England.
Ms Carr said: "There is now an urgent need for Parliament to debate assisted dying.
This risks discriminating against those who wish to determine the time and manner of their passing.
With changes in legislation in the Isle of Man, Jersey and Scotland likely, failure to do so could result in a two-tier system in the UK, with different services available in different parts of the country."
"This risks discriminating against those who wish to determine the time and manner of their passing."
Claudia Carr specialises in medical law and ethics, and commented ahead of the expected report on a Private Members’ Bill to change the law on assisted dying in the Isle of Man.
In Scotland, a bill is likely to be introduced later this year while in Jersey, proposals to change the law are due to be published before the end of May.
Ms Carr added: "Sufficient judicial oversight would help protect against abuses, for example, disabled people being stripped of their right to choose, or people being pressured into making a decision."
I firmly believe in a person’s right to determine for themselves the manner and nature of their passing
“However, the drafting of any proposed bill in the England and Wales needs to be refined. For example, medical predictions of a person’s life expectancy often turn out to be inaccurate.
This therefore needs to be determined more rationally and perhaps limited to the last weeks of life."
While she told Greatest Hits Radio assisted dying should become a legal right, Ms Carr recognised the complexities around it.
She said: "Assisted dying is an issue with huge ramifications, which requires careful consideration, nuance and sympathy.£
"However, just because something has challenging ethical and moral implications, doesn’t mean we should shy away from engaging with it."
"I firmly believe in a person’s right to determine for themselves the manner and nature of their passing."
Physician-assisted dying is legal in countries across the world, including in Belgium, Switzerland and Canada.