We all deserve the right to die without pain or fear, but assisted suicide won’t fix that
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By Timothy James, Birmingham City University
What connects these two recent news stories? Jeffrey Spector, a 54-year-old businessman with a spinal tumour, travels to Dignitas in Zurich to commit suicide, with support from his family; and the Health Service Ombudsman publishes a report called “Dying without Dignity”, which criticises the end-of-life care provided by the NHS.
Campaigners for legal reform argue that Spector’s choice of death shows his search for dignity at the end of life and the desire to retain control: in a word, “autonomy”. But the ombudsman’s report – and a closer reading of the cases which constantly appear in the media – suggest it’s not autonomy. It’s mainly fear.
For some years there has been a persistent and sophisticated campaign to persuade us to bring in a legal right to assistance in committing suicide.
The legal campaign swings between the courts and parliament. In the courts, desperately ill people with a strong call on our empathy – and a very articula...
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