Posted on 07/25/2009 10:37:29 AM PDT by Steelfish
July 25, 2009
Huge public support for change in law to allow the right to die
Rosemary Bennett, Social Affairs Correspondent
Overwhelming public support for a change in the law to allow medically assisted suicide is revealed in a poll for The Times.
Almost three quarters (74 per cent) of people want doctors to be allowed to help terminally ill patients to end their lives. Support is particularly strong among those aged 55 to 64.
Six out of ten people also want friends and relatives to be able to help their dying loved ones to commit suicide without fear of prosecution.
Changing the law has always been opposed strongly by doctors, with two out of three against legalisation. But yesterday saw the first sign of change in the medical establishment.
Public supports right to die for terminally ill 'We considered ending our lives together' Give us the choice in death we've had in life
The Royal College of Nursing dropped its opposition to assisted suicide and adopted a neutral position after a three-month consultation with members. Nurses will receive new guidance on how patients can deal with terminal illness. Many nurses are being asked by desperate patients about travelling abroad to clinics such as Dignitas, in Zurich, to end their lives and are unsure what they can say.
The Times poll, by Populus, was carried out a week after the leading conductor Sir Edward Downes and his wife died at the Dignitas clinic on July 10. Sir Edward, 85, had become virtually blind and suffered loss of hearing while Lady Downes, 74, a former ballet dancer, had terminal cancer.
Their son and daughter accompanied them to the clinic and have been questioned by police, although they are unlikely to face further action.
(Excerpt) Read more at timesonline.co.uk ...
How much are you willing to bet this statement does not have an expiraton date...
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