Today the Assisted Dying Bill comes before the House of Lords for its Second Reading. It seeks to repeal the long-established crime of assisted suicide in certain medical and personal circumstances where the patient requests this, there is agreement of two doctors, and confirmation by the High Court through its Family Division. This is a grave and profound step for any legislature to determine. It merits rigorous examination.
The good will and well-intentioned approach of those involved in favouring assisted suicide is not determinative in such a process. The dangers of such a new law are several and very serious. The Bill favours the minority of the invulnerable against the majority of the vulnerable.