A man suffering locked-in syndrome in Britain has failed in a legal bid to have medical guidelines changed to allow him to avail of assisted suicide.
The patient, identified only as Martin, had brought a case before the High Court in an attempt to force a change to current General Medical Council (GMC) guidelines on patient care.
Counsel for Martin argued that the guidelines unfairly restricted him, on the basis that they interfered with his right to a private and family life under the European Convention on Human Rights. The court also heard arguments on recent changes to guidance issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions regarding those who assist in suicide where a person has a clear and settled intention to die, which indicated that in such circumstances, the assisting party, acting from compassion, would be unlikely to face prosecution. This, counsel argued, allowed for assistance by medical professionals for someone like Martin who has indicated a wish to die.
Judges rejected the arguments, however, ruling that the GMC retained the right to base its guidelines on existing law, which still holds aiding and abetting suicide to be an illegal act.
Current GMC guidelines make clear that “where patients raise the issue of assisting suicide, or ask for information that might encourage or assist them in ending their lives, respect for a patient’s autonomy cannot justify illegal action.
Martin’s legal team has stated that it has advised him to challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal.