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Press Statement – Regrettably Limited Debate & Appreciation of the Full Evidence at the ‘Assisted Dying’ Bill’s Second Reading
The Anscombe Centre has expressed its regret at the limited debate or appreciation of the full evidence before a slim majority of MPs voted in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill at its Second Reading.
Press Release – Public Opinion on Assisted Suicide: Unclear, Unchanged and Undecided
The advocates of assisted suicide often argue that a clear majority of the public are in favour of legalising it. When we look at the available polling data more closely and more deeply however, we find that the public are not strongly committed one way or another as the headlines would suggest, but that public opinion is much more conflicted, complex, unconfident and unconvinced than is typically recognised.
Video: ‘Assisted Dying’ & its Impact on Palliative Care
Bioethicist Professor David Albert Jones and palliative care specialist Dr Dominic Whitehouse discuss the nature of palliative care, the state of its provision in the UK, and the negative impact of ‘assisted dying’ (euthanasia and / or assisted suicide) on palliative care according to the fullest and latest evidence.
Press Release – Anscombe Study Shows Negative Impact of ‘Assisted Dying’ on Palliative Care
Ahead of the Second Reading debate in the House of Commons over Kim Leadbeater MP’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, the Anscombe Centre has published a new paper by our Director, Professor David Albert Jones, showing that the evidence from multiple jurisdictions that have introduced ‘assisted dying’ – euthanasia and / or assisted suicide (EAS) – is that it has a detrimental effect on palliative care provision.
Showcase
A showcase selection of the work of the Anscombe Bioethics Centre, from noteworthy research, events, and media presentations.
Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide: A Guide to the Evidence
This evidence guide has been written to inform the debate about whether to legalise physician assisted suicide or euthanasia in the United Kingdom. Most of the sources cited here are also relevant to the debates on assisted suicide or euthanasia in other countries.
Euthanasia, Assisted Suicide, and Suicide Rates in Europe (Journal of Ethics in Mental Health)
The Journal of Ethics in Mental Health (JEMH) published an article by the Anscombe Centre’s Director, David Albert Jones, which shows, contrary to some claims that introducing euthanasia and assisted suicide (EAS) would reduce suicides, that there is no evidence that this is the case, but that European data shows that in countries that have introduced voluntary euthanasia and assisted suicide into law and medical practice.
The Ethics of Vaccine Passports: An Interview with Prof. David Albert Jones
As the UK gradually moves out of lockdown, the government has been considering multiple strategies for reopening. Among these is the well-known, and somewhat controversial proposal for ‘Vaccine Passports’. Plans have also been put forward to introduce ‘COVID Status Certificates.’ What would these certificates, or ‘passports’, mean for citizens? And what are some of the ethical implications of them? David Albert Jones is videoed here in conversation with Becky Short exploring these questions and more.
Research
A virtual library of essays and articles by past and present staff members of the Anscombe Bioethics Centre. Our briefing papers, offering in-depth analysis of fast-moving issues, are also available here.
Shining a Light on Gender Identity Services: How The Cass Review Shows The Need For Evidence-Based Paediatric Medicine (Dr Julie Maxwell)
An account of the Cass Review into Gender Identity Services, and how it uncovers the various ways in which failures to follow standard medical and safeguarding procedures has led to many vulnerable and distressed children not receiving the best standards of assessment and care.
Normalising Surrogacy: A Threat To Human Dignity (Dr Pia Matthews)
A critique of joint proposals by the Law Commission of England and Wales, and the Scottish Law Commission to effectively normalise surrogacy through a regulated pathway that would remove important safeguards in the current legal framework intended for the protection of surrogate mothers and the children to whom they give birth.
A Briefing on the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority (HFEA) consultation, ‘Modernising the regulation of fertility treatment and research involving human embryos’
Our Briefing on the March-April 2023 HFEA consultation into the potential revision of Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990.
Anscombe Centre Submission to Isle of Man Consultation on Private Member’s Bill for Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide (EAS)
From 01 December 2022 to 26 January 2023, a Consultation was held on a Private Member’s Bill introduced into the House of Keys proposing to introduce euthanasia and assisted suicide (EAS) into Manx law and medical practice. The Consultation took place via a series of set questions, with multiple choice answers and space to give explanations of the answer. The below is the submission on behalf of the Anscombe Centre composed by our Director, Professor David Albert Jones.
Anscombe Centre Submission to Government of Jersey Consultation on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide (EAS)
From 17 October 2022 to 14 January 2023, the Government of Jersey held a consultation on proposals to introduce euthanasia and assisted suicide (EAS) into Jersey law and medical practice. The Consultation took place via a series of set questions, with multiple choice answers and space to give explanations of the answer. The below is the submission on behalf of the Anscombe Centre composed by our Education and Research Officer, Dr Chris Wojtulewicz.
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The Anscombe Bioethics Centre is supported by the Catholic Church in England and Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, but has also always relied on donations from generous individuals, friends and benefactors.