Possible Questions Flashcards
(10 cards)
What is personal autonomy? Why is it so important?
“Personal autonomy means being able to make your own decisions and have control over your own life — including how it ends. It’s important because if someone else makes that decision for you, it takes away your freedom, your dignity, and your sense of ownership over your life. Like I said in my speech, if you don’t have that control, someone else does — and that feels fundamentally wrong to me, especially when someone is already suffering.”
How would you ensure that people requesting assisted dying are making the decision freely and not because they feel pressured?
“We could make sure that everyone applying for assisted dying goes through a proper assessment by a panel — for example, a doctor, a psychologist, and maybe even a legal expert. They’d check for things like pressure from family or emotional distress, and make sure the person is fully aware of their decision. There’d also need to be a ‘cooling-off’ period so people aren’t making this choice in a moment of crisis. If someone’s being pushed into it or feels like a burden, that should instantly disqualify them.”
You say a psychologist should be involved — what would their role be, and how would they assess someone’s capacity to choose?
The psychologist’s job would be to make sure the person is mentally well enough to make such a serious and permanent decision. That includes checking for things like depression, anxiety, or pressure that could affect their judgment. They’d talk with the person, ask questions about why they want assisted dying, and see whether they understand the consequences and are making the choice freely. If the person doesn’t have ‘mental capacity’ — like if they’re confused, severely depressed, or being influenced — they shouldn’t be allowed to go ahead.”
Some religious or cultural groups oppose assisted dying — how would you respond to their concerns?
“I completely understand that some people’s beliefs mean they’re against assisted dying, and I think it’s really important to respect that. But I also believe that just because someone wouldn’t choose it for themselves, doesn’t mean they should be able to stop someone else from making that choice. Legalising it wouldn’t force anyone to do it — it would just give the option to people who are suffering and want to die on their own terms.”
- increasingly secular society
- laws should reflect that
Could legalising assisted dying risk creating a society that devalues the lives of the elderly or disabled?
“I think that’s a really fair concern, and it’s why strict rules are so important. The law should only apply to people who are terminally ill — not just old or disabled. Having a disability or being elderly doesn’t mean your life isn’t valuable. The whole point is that the person has to choose it themselves, with no pressure at all, and only if they’re at the end of life and suffering. It’s about giving people control — not taking it away.”
You mentioned Belgium — how would you make sure the UK doesn’t go down the same ‘slippery slope’?
By keeping the law really clear and tight. The UK should only allow assisted dying for terminally ill adults with less than six months to live, and only when they’ve shown full mental capacity. We shouldn’t expand it to include things like mental illness or children, like Belgium did — that crosses a line. And we should review the law regularly, with proper oversight, to make sure it stays safe and ethical.”
How does the current law in the UK affect people who want assisted dying — and what options do they have now
Right now, assisted dying is illegal in the UK. That means people either have to suffer until they die naturally, or they take things into their own hands — often alone, and sometimes in really traumatic ways. Some people go to Switzerland, but it’s expensive and stressful, especially if you’re ill. That’s why we need a safe and legal option here in the UK.”
Do you think you’d support assisted dying if it involved someone close to you — like a friend or family member?
That’s such a hard thing to imagine. Of course, I’d be heartbroken. But if someone I loved was suffering and there was no chance of them recovering, I think I’d want to respect their choice — even if it hurt. I’d much rather say goodbye to them properly than watch them suffer for weeks or months when they didn’t want to. It would be one of the hardest things to go through — but also, maybe, one of the kindest.”
If mental illness can be treated over time, why do you think it’s never acceptable to allow assisted dying for mental health conditions?
Because mental illness can affect the way someone thinks and feels — even their ability to make decisions clearly. Most people with mental health conditions can get better with the right support, even if it takes time. If we allow assisted dying in those cases, we could be giving up on people who actually needed help, not death. It’s just too risky and unpredictable — and it’s not the same as someone who’s physically dying and has no chance of recovery.”
Some people say ‘suffering makes us human’ — how would you respond to that viewpoint?
“I understand the idea that suffering can build strength or teach us things — and in many cases, that’s true. But I don’t think we can apply that to people who are dying in agony with no chance of getting better. That kind of suffering isn’t meaningful — it’s just cruel. If someone finds no peace, no joy, and no hope, we shouldn’t force them to keep going just for the sake of it. At that point, compassion matters more than pain.”
