‘No one’s death is an isolated event’: Medical professor gives talk in Tongue on assisted dying
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Assisted dying was the topic of a public meeting held at the Kyle Centre in Tongue on May 4.
The meeting was organised locally following the tabling of Liam McArthur’s Private Member’s Bill on assisted dying in the Scottish Parliament.
The speaker was Professor Robin Taylor, a respiratory physician from Edinburgh.
He began by outlining the key elements of the Hippocratic Oath that have been in place for over 2400 years. The oath prevents doctors from actively helping, or even discussing someone’s suicide.
“The oath has stood the test of time for a reason,” said Professor Taylor. “Even if a small group of patients signalled that assisted suicide was right for them, and we might even agree with them, the legislation of assisted suicide would not remain limited to just a small group of people.”
Professor Taylor highlighted that since the introduction of legislation in Canada 2014, there had been a gradual expansion of assisted suicide provisions .
Legitimising the idea that “my life is not worth living” has created turmoil in the provisions of psychiatric services in that country.
“The slippery slope is real and not theoretical” said Professor Taylor. “The so-called safeguards that Mr. McArthur claims are in his bill are simply untenable. Experience in The Netherlands, Belgium and Canada shows that they are quickly set aside.”
Several participants in the debate stressed the importance of personal autonomy.
“I should have the right to choose when I die” said one audience member.”
Professor Taylor replied that no one’s death was an isolated event. Others were always affected. These include frail or elderly people who may feel pressured to choose assisted suicide, not because anyone suggests it but because it becomes the norm.
“Over time, the NHS would be significantly changed if Mr McArthur’s legislation is passed” said Professor Taylor.
“The focus in the NHS should be on expanding the scope and availability of palliative care, not on providing facilities for assisted suicide.
“Palliative care is still hugely underfunded and is not available to everyone who needs it. That’s what most people want, not assisted dying.”
