Monday 9 May 2011

A new survey of disabled people on assisted suicide is welcome

SPUC Pro-Life has welcomed a survey of disabled people’s concerns about the possible legalisation of assisted suicide. The survey, commissioned by disability group Scope, found that 70% of disabled people are “concerned about pressure being placed on other disabled people to end their lives prematurely” “if there were a change in the law on assisted suicide”.

The survey also found that most young adults share the concerns of older generations about the dangers of legalising assisted suicide.

Anthony Ozimic, SPUC Pro-Life’s communications manager, told the media earlier today:
“We welcome this survey and take encouragement from its findings. Scope, which commissioned the survey, is not part of the pro-life movement and there is no suggestion of it being partisan. The survey’s questions were worded fairly, unlike recent general public opinion polls which use the pro-euthanasia lobby’s euphemisms, such as ‘assisted dying’. Disabled people, including young adults, are increasingly alarmed by the celebrity-driven push for legalising assisted suicide. Disabled people want help to live well and die naturally, not lethal injections or poison-pills."