What, if any, should be the role of doctors in assisted dying?

Abstract

The BMJ ’s coverage on assisted dying1 ignores the key question for the medical profession: what, if any, should be the role of doctors? In Leadbeater’s bill our role is central and decisive: not only do medical criteria define what constitutes an acceptable reason to end one’s life, but doctors are both the arbiters and administrators. This has several deeply problematic implications. This bill would legally require doctors to treat a patient …