An 83 year old British man has announced his intention to be the first person with dementia to end his life at the Dignitas suicide clinic in Switzerland.
Report
The man is claimed to be in the early stages of dementia and has allegedly obtained a report from a psychiatrist saying that he is “mentally competent” to make the decision to end his life.
His plans were revealed by vocal euthanasia campaigner, Dr Michael Irwin, who has advised at least 25 Britons who committed suicide at Dignitas, whilst accompanying at least four others to the clinic.
Widening
Dr Peter Saunders, CEO of Care Not Killing, warned that should assisted suicide be legalised in the UK, pressure will be applied by campaigners to widen the categories of people eligible for the procedure.
He added: “This shows that if we were to change the law in this country there would be pressure to apply it to dementia patients.
“We have seen in European countries that have legalised euthanasia that once you allow it in any circumstances at all you inevitably end up widening the category of people to be included.”
Test case
Critics believe that Dr Irwin is attempting to provoke a test case to gauge more support for a weakening of the law on assisted suicide in Britain.
He said: ‘This topic of old-age rational suicide should now be openly discussed.’
‘The severely disabled and the elderly with medical problems should be equally well discussed nowadays, especially with an ageing population.
“The desire to stop being a burden on one’s family and to avoid squandering financial resources perhaps better spent on grandchildren’s further education could become the final altruistic gesture, especially when combined with a wish to stop prolonging a life that is both futile and very unpleasant.”
Dr Irwin, who previously chaired euthanasia lobby group “Dignity in Dying”, was struck of the medical register in 2005 after attempting to help a terminally ill friend to commit suicide.
Whilst the case was referred to prosecutors, it was decided that it was not in the “public interest” to press charges.
Comment
Andrea Williams, CEO of Christian Concern said: “This case highlights that once assisted suicide is legalised, access to the procedure is incrementally extended to those who are suffering from non-fatal conditions.
“Research shows that very few patients request an assisted suicide when their physical and emotional needs are met through adequate care and treatment.
“The correct response to suffering is to care for patients compassionately - not place them under pressure to end their lives prematurely.”
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