Euthanasia and suicide

Question 1

Euthanasia definition: (Davis)

Answer 1

“Active steps taken to end someone’s life to stop their suffering”

Question 2

Assisted suicide: (Davis)

Answer 2

Helping someone take their own life at their request

Question 3

Assisted dying: (Davis)

Answer 3

Can be used to mean both euthanasia and assisted suicide

Question 4

Difference between act and omission?

Answer 4

Act: Unlawful- done by switching off an internal device such as a pacemaker (internal)

Omission: lawful- done by switching off a ventilator or removing medication (external)

Question 5

Nicklinson & Anor R (on the application of) (rev 1) [2014] UKSC 38

Issues:

Answer 5

1. Does the law in England and Wales in assisting suicide infringe ECHR
2. Whether the code from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) realting to someone accused of assisting suicide is lawful.

Question 6

R (Conway) v Secretary of state for justice [2017] EWCA Civ 1431

Issue:

Answer 6

1. Whether Suicide Act 1961 Art 2(1) is incompatible with ECHR