MPs may be softening in their opposition to assisted dying.An Ipsos MORI survey commissioned by the campaign group Dignity in Dying indicates that more than half (53%) do not think a doctor, in England or Wales, should be prosecuted for helping a terminally ill mentally competent adult patient to die when directly requested to do so by the patient.
The last time MPs voted on the issue of assisted dying for the terminally ill was in 1997 when Joe Ashton MP's 10-minute rule bill,
Doctor Assisted Dying, was defeated by 234 votes (72%) to 89
(28%).
Previous surveys of MPs have shown high levels of opposition to change in the law.
This is in opposition to attitudes of members of the public across England and Wales.
An Ipsos MORI poll on behalf of Dignity in Dying in June found that 76% of adults across England and Wales, when made aware that it is illegal, do not think a family member or friend should be prosecuted for enabling or assisting a terminally ill but mentally competent adult to travel abroad to have an assisted death in a country where it is legal.
Previous surveys of MPs have shown high levels of opposition to change in the law.
This is in opposition to attitudes of members of the public across England and Wales.
An Ipsos MORI poll on behalf of Dignity in Dying in June found that 76% of adults across England and Wales, when made aware that it is illegal, do not think a family member or friend should be prosecuted for enabling or assisting a terminally ill but mentally competent adult to travel abroad to have an assisted death in a country where it is legal.
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