What is assisted dying and is it illegal? The consequences

Euthanasia is the deliberate act of ending someone’s life to ensure they no longer suffer, the NHS explains.

People who become very ill may want to receive help to end their life instead of suffering from pain.

With MPs due to debate whether the act should become legal in the UK after a petition called for change with the likes of campaigner and veteran broadcaster Dame Esther Rantzen backing the campaign.

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Dame Esther said she is considering travelling to Switzerland for an assisted death after being diagnosed with stage four lung cancer.

What is euthanasia and assisted suicide?

The NHS website explains that euthanasia “could be considered euthanasia if a doctor deliberately gave a patient with a terminal illness a drug they do not otherwise need, such as an overdose of sedatives or muscle relaxant, with the sole aim of ending their life.”

It adds: “Assisted suicide is the act of deliberately assisting another person to kill themselves. If a relative of a person with a terminal illness obtained strong sedatives, knowing the person intended to use them to kill themselves, the relative may be considered to be assisting suicide.”

Is it illegal to euthanise a person or be involved in assisted dying?

Under English law, both euthanasia and assisted suicide are both illegal.

While trying to kill yourself isn’t a criminal act, assisting suicide is illegal and a person involved in it faces up to 14 years imprisonment.

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Euthanasia can be considered either murder or manslaughter, depending on circumstances, the NHS further explains.

Life imprisonment is the maximum penalty for euthanasia.

You can find out more about euthanasia via the NHS website.