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• Re:Suicide tourism may not change the courts but the courts could alter suicide tourism
  susanne stevens
  Published on: 18 May 2017
• Suicide tourism may not change the courts but the courts could alter suicide tourism
  Richard A Clubb
  Published on: 18 May 2017

• Published on: 18 May 2017

  Re:Suicide tourism may not change the courts but the courts could alter suicide tourism

  • susanne stevens, retired

  The term 'suicide tourism' was first coined by the media for obvious reasons. Is it necessary to use such a repugnant term though. When used to refer to a group collectively this insult can can be glossed over- in a way it could not without causing anger if referring to an individual who takes the harrowing decision to go abroad for an assisted death. To refer to the increased number of people 'from England' (presumably...

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  The term 'suicide tourism' was first coined by the media for obvious reasons. Is it necessary to use such a repugnant term though. When used to refer to a group collectively this insult can can be glossed over- in a way it could not without causing anger if referring to an individual who takes the harrowing decision to go abroad for an assisted death. To refer to the increased number of people 'from England' (presumably Wales is still included )as being 'outsourced'(ref responses) like a commodity, is dehumanising. However strong opinions may be the right of people to be treated with respect and dignity is paramount, not their usefulness to support an argument.

  Conflict of Interest:

  I support the right of individuals to decide when to die but have no competing interests

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  Conflict of Interest:
  None declared.

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• Published on: 18 May 2017

  Suicide tourism may not change the courts but the courts could alter suicide tourism

  • Richard A Clubb, General Practitioner (rtd)

  Sir,

  I have no argument with Charles Foster's tortuously argued claim that suicide tourism has not led to a change in prosecutorial policy, although I am far more exercised by the potential for change in the latter influencing requirement for the former. Nor do I disagree with his admission that it is intellectually dishonest for us to allow Swiss clinics to siphon off our sufferings and responsibility, except t...

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  Sir,

  I have no argument with Charles Foster's tortuously argued claim that suicide tourism has not led to a change in prosecutorial policy, although I am far more exercised by the potential for change in the latter influencing requirement for the former. Nor do I disagree with his admission that it is intellectually dishonest for us to allow Swiss clinics to siphon off our sufferings and responsibility, except to add that it's also immoral of us to do so.

  Where I take issue with him is with his blithe statement that allowing the status quo to continue "is likely to do less harm overall than introducing any conceivable assisted suicide law into England."

  The conceivable law now in question is Lord Falconer's Assisted Dying Bill and this provides for safeguards and transparency that have been long and carefully considered, are modelled on laws in Oregon operating successfully for seventeen years, are certainly more comprehensive than those pertaining in Switzerland; and are our own. As such, they aim to address the unnecessary, inevitable suffering resulting from the necessity to travel - and be able to travel - to die in alien surroundings. Yes, Dr. Foster, this is a moral as well as an intellectual challenge.

  Sincerely,

  Dr Richard clubb

  Conflict of Interest:

  HPAD member

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  Conflict of Interest:
  None declared.

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