SPUC Scotland’s 2019 conference took place on October 26th and scrutinised the question of, ‘what happened to the Hippocratic Oath’- informing delegates of the vital need to oppose euthanasia and assisted suicide.
The conference which hosted 120 delegates, focussed on the value of a revival of the Hippocratic Oath, for physicians and patients. Key conference speakers included Dr Anthony McCarthy, Dr Toni Saad and Dr Gordon Macdonald, who provided reflections on euthanasia and insights into the issue of conscientious objection.
Combined efforts of pro-death politicians and medical bodies
Dr Gordon Macdonald, Chief Executive of leading anti-euthanasia coalition, and SPUC ally, Care not Killing, addressed the conference with an update on the UK’s current situation regarding potential assisted suicide threats.
Dr Macdonald informed delegates of the combined efforts of medical groups and politicians to embed the practice of assisted suicide into the United Kingdom.
Earlier this year, as reported by SPUC, the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) announced that its position on assisted suicide would move from one of opposition to neutrality.
The British Medical Association and Royal College of General Practitioners soon followed in attempts to also adopt a stance of neutrality. However, they maintained their stance of opposition following poll results among their members which opposed the move.
According to Dr Macdonald, pro-death politicians have been relentlessly pursuing the introduction of lax suicide laws into the United Kingdom. Prominent threats to the law in 2019 have included the debate on assisted suicide brought forward by Nick Boles MP and an attempt by David Gauke MP to launch an inquiry into assisted suicide.
Dr Macdonald warned that politicians are steadily beginning to embrace the concept of assisted suicide. In 2010, 65.9% of Westminster politicians opposed assisted suicide. However, currently, only 35.6% of Westminster politicians oppose assisted suicide with 37.5% ‘unknown’.
Dr Macdonald said: "There is a lot of work to do to establish the views of MPs & MSPs and to inform them about the dangers of assisted suicide. Initial surveys may underestimate the number of MPs and MSPs who can be persuaded to vote against legalising assisted suicide and euthanasia. The votes in both parliaments will probably be closer the next time around than in previous years, meaning the outcome of the next elections will be crucial".
"Resist all attempts to embed assisted suicide into society"
SPUC Deputy Chief Executive, John Deighan said:
"There is a concerted move by the euthanasia lobby to get the medical bodies on side before attempting legislation. They appear to have identified the move to a neutral position as a way of gaining momentum for their cause.
"We must work to enhance life for sick, disabled and elderly people, not pass a law which offers them death as a solution to their problems.
"The current law protects every citizen, especially the elderly, sick and disabled. Offering people the choice to end their lives creates unacceptable pressure for them to choose death. It is vital that we resist all attempts to embed the abhorrent practice of assisted suicide into society".