UK: British Medical Association reaffirms opposition to physician aid in dying

. CHICAGO, Illinois / American Medical Association Newsletter / July 24, 2009 AMA eVoice Doctors voted against a motion that would have given terminally ill patients who have decision-making capacity the option of choosing an assisted death of euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide during the British Medical Association's (BMA) Annual Representative Meeting in Liverpool on July 1. The rejected motion also would have offered immunity from prosecution to those, such as friends or family, who accompany loved ones abroad to an assisted death. There have been various attempts in the past few years to legalize assisted dying in the United Kingdom. In 2005, the BMA considered the merits of allowing Parliament and society at large to decide this controversial matter and took a neutral stance. In 2006, however, BMA members made clear that the majority opposes such legislation. The BMA has since dropped its neutral stance and opposes all forms of assisted dying, arguing that the concept of assisted dying risks undermining patients' ability to trust their doctors and the health care system. The American Medical Association opposes both euthanasia and assisted suicide for similar reasons, arguing that they are fundamentally incompatible with the physician's role as healer and, if permitted, would be difficult or impossible to control and pose serious societal risks. Instead of engaging in euthanasia, physicians must aggressively respond to the needs of patients at the end of life by providing emotional support, comfort care, adequate pain control, respect for patient autonomy and good communication. Visit the Code of Medical Ethics Web site for more information about AMA policy on euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. [rc] Copyright 1995-2009 American Medical Association.