The British Humanist Association (BHA) has today responded to a survey of doctors which found that over a third believe that the law should be reformed to allow assisted dying, and about the same number believe that doctors should be allowed to help their patients die.
Naomi Phillips, BHA Public Affairs Officer, said, ‘This survey comes at a time when assisted dying is back on the social and political agenda. A third of the doctors surveyed supported a reform in the law to permit assisted dying and that is not an insignificant number – but it does seem rather low compared with over 80% of the public supporting a reform in the law. However, the survey also found that those doctors with strong religious beliefs were more likely to oppose a change in the law than those without strong religious beliefs, perhaps meaning that their own beliefs are coming before the needs of patients and patient choice at end of life.’
Ms Phillips continued, ‘Under our present, confused laws around assisted dying, the needs and autonomy of patients are often disregarded. In the past we have campaigned hard against the small but vociferous religious lobby who oppose changing the law to allow, with strict safeguards, those who are suffering to die with dignity at a time of their own choosing. It would be a great shame if the wishes of doctors come above the needs and rights of terminally ill patients, not least if that opposition comes from a largely unshared and dogmatic religious position.’
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For further comment or information, contact Naomi Phillips on 020 7079 3585.
The British Humanist Association (BHA) is the national charity representing and supporting the non-religious and campaigning for an end to religious privilege and discrimination based on religion or belief. It exists to support and represent people who seek to live good and responsible lives without religious or superstitious beliefs.