Are the Laws Forbidding Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide in the UK Taking Away the Personal Autonomy of Terminally Ill Citizens?

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to examine the view that the current blanket ban on assisted suicide in the UK actively takes away the personal autonomy of citizens with terminal illnesses who wish to end their own lives. This work will examine a variety of factors that may contribute to this legal debate such as personal autonomy, end-of-life decisions, human rights and medical ethics. The current problems associated with the law on euthanasia will also be addressed in order to better comprehend the socio-legal debate surrounding whether or not assisted suicide ought to be legalised. This article will also discuss the potential measures that could be implemented in the future to legalise euthanasia and how law-makers can prevent the slippery-slope which is a fear of those against the legalisation of assisted suicide.