Citation

Biggs H. Fem. Leg. Stud. 2011; 19(1): 83-91.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s10691-011-9165-6

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This commentary explores the background to, and implications of, the recently published Director of Public Prosecutions guidelines for prosecutors in respect of cases of encouraging or assisting suicide. It considers the extent of the provisions and questions the legitimacy of their focus on the compassionate motivation of the assistant, and the apparent prohibition on healthcare professionals providing such help. It concludes by suggesting that a permissive change in the law would provide better safeguards for those who seek assisted dying. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

Language: en

Keywords

Assisted suicide; Compassion; DPP; Purdy