A powerful case for assisted dying

Zoe Coyle’s moving description of the consequences of the ban on assisted dying in last week’s You magazine should be read by every doctor and every MP.

There is now no doubt that banning assisted dying causes great suffering to a small number of patients and terrible distress to their families.

The real question is why is the small minority who oppose assisted dying imposing their views on the clear majority who are in favour of it. It is a moral, not a medical choice.

We do not impose our views on others over vaccination, resuscitation, abortion or whether or not to have medical treatment. That is left to personal autonomy. Yet, when it comes to the one thing we are all going to face, we impose a minority moral judgment.

Many other countries have moved on from this 19th Century paternalism. It works safely and compassionately in Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

None of the scare stories about assisted dying has occurred there or elsewhere.

Even France, a Catholic country, is holding a Citizens’ Assembly on whether to allow it. When will we do the same?

Dr Tim Howard, Wimborne, Dorset