Getty ImagesA proposed law to legalise assisted dying for terminally ill adults in England and Wales has been formally introduced in the House of Commons.
MPs can now see the details and debate the contents of the bill before voting in a few weeks time about whether they agree with the proposals.
If enough of them vote yes, the bill will move to the committee stage for further scrutiny.
Further debates and votes in both the Commons and the Lords would be needed before it could become law, which would take years.
What would be allowed under the law?
The bill – called the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill – would make it legal for over-18s who are terminally ill to be given assistance to end their own life.
But there are requirements:
- They must be resident of England and Wales and be registered with a GP for at least 12 months
- They must have the mental capacity to make the choice and be deemed to have expressed a clear, settled and informed wish, free from coercion or pressure
- They must be expected to die within six months
- They must make two separate declarations, witnessed and signed, about their wish to die
- Two independent doctors must be satisfied the person is eligible – and there must be at least seven days between the doctors’ assessments
- A High Court judge must hear from at least one of the doctors and can also question the dying person, or anyone else they consider appropriate. There must be a further 14 days after the judge has made the ruling
As well as the list of requirements, the bill is also proposing safeguards.
It would make it illegal for someone to pressure, coerce or use dishonesty to get someone to make a declaration that they wish to end their life or to induce someone to self-administer an approved substance.
And if someone is found guilty of either of these actions, they could face a jail sentence of up to 14 years.
How would people end their life?
Under the bill, a doctor could prepare the substance, but the person themselves would take it themselves.
This is called physician-assisted suicide.
No doctor or anyone else would be allowed to administer the medication to the terminally ill person. Doctors would also not be under any obligation to take part in the assisted dying process.
Voluntary euthanasia is where a health professional administers the drugs to the patient.
What are the rules elsewhere in the UK?
What about the rest of the world?
The US state Oregon, legalised assisted dying in 1997, for terminally ill adults with six months or less to live.
It is also legal in California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New Mexico, New Jersey, Vermont, Washington and Washington D.C. And some other states are considering legalising it.
Switzerland has allowed assisted suicide for adults since 1942 and its Dignitas facility began operating in 1998.
Assisted dying is legal in Canada for terminally ill adults, but the country has delayed an expansion to its medical assistance in dying programme for people who have a mental illness.
Some countries have made it legal for teenagers to take their own lives, in certain circumstances.
The Netherlands, for example, has legalised assisted suicide and euthanasia. Minors can request it starting at the age of 12, but need parental consent until they are 16.
