Making assisted suicide legal for people with unbearable suffering would be unethical [1], according to a review of proposals for the Channel Island of Jersey.
The panel of medical law experts had “serious reservations” about allowing assisted dying (AD) on that ground, deeming the term too vague.
However, they said proposals for those with a terminal illness were “ethically appropriate”.
The review panel also looked at whether AD should be limited to Jersey residents, to avoid Jersey becoming a “suicide/death tourism” destination.
They said while an open regime might generate income and meet the needs of those who live where AD is illegal, “we suspect the case for restricting access to residents is stronger”.
Age eligibility was also considered, with the review concluding that AD should be restricted to adults.
But, it added, if AD for children is to be considered, the views of children themselves would need to be sought.
The report said healthcare professionals (HCPs) “should have the right to conscientiously object to direct participation in AD, not least because AD is a controversial practice, which does not serve the usual aims of medicine to heal/cure”.