Post by Taxigirl on Dec 14, 2004 8:43:06 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4093907.stm
MPs are preparing to debate a bill which critics claim would legalise euthanasia "by the back door".
The bill would allow people to draft "living wills" saying they want medical treatment withheld if they become severely incapacitated.
The Mental Capacity Bill has broad support from charities who say it would give better safeguards over treatment.
But Christian groups say it could mean doctors withholding food and fluids even if they think it inappropriate.
MPs are also divided, with 91 signing a petition, started by ex-Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith saying the bill should specifically prevent decisions to bring about death.
Ministers insist the bill - which relates to England and Wales - would not change laws on assisted suicide and contains a clear presumption in favour of the preservation of life.
The Mental Capacity Bill would establish a legal presumption that everybody can make decisions about treatment unless proved otherwise.
It would allow people to give somebody the power of attorney to make decisions on their behalf.
Doctors could apply to a court of protection to challenge the decision.
Critics fear the plans could allow "killing by omission" through withdrawing treatment, but an alliance of interested charities has called those fears "misplaced".
'Loopholes'
The Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF) and Lawyers' Christian Fellowship (LCF) said the bill would allow euthanasia by the "back door".
Peter Saunders of the CMF said it believed advance refusals should be only advisory, not legally binding.
"CMF is concerned that patients will make unwise and hasty advance decisions to refuse food and fluids without being properly informed about the diagnosis and the expected course their illness will take," he said.
The LCF's Andrea Williams said there were "too many loopholes that could be abused by unscrupulous doctors".
Former Labour minister Frank Field told BBC Two's Newsnight programme there was a danger people would feel under pressure to "do away" with themselves so relatives could inherit their assets.
"It totally changes the idea of a civilised society."
Liberal Democrat health spokesman Paul Burstow said the current law was unclear and that decisions about withdrawing treatment should be made by the courts on a case-by-case basis.
Minister David Lammy said laws affecting 750,000 people with dementia and five million people caring for those without mental capacity needed updating.
The Making Decisions Alliance, which includes the Alzheimer's Society, Age Concern, Mencap and the National Autistic Society, said misunderstandings over the bill had to be cleared up.
Its statement said: "It will not change the current law on euthanasia and will actually provide a series of better safeguards when decisions are made for people who lack capacity."
The British Medical Association also backs the bill, saying it just gives incapacitated people the same rights as others.
Debate on legalising euthanasia has intensified in the UK because of cases like that of motor neurone patient Diane Pretty.
She died two years ago after losing a legal battle to allow her husband to help her commit suicide.
MPs are preparing to debate a bill which critics claim would legalise euthanasia "by the back door".
The bill would allow people to draft "living wills" saying they want medical treatment withheld if they become severely incapacitated.
The Mental Capacity Bill has broad support from charities who say it would give better safeguards over treatment.
But Christian groups say it could mean doctors withholding food and fluids even if they think it inappropriate.
MPs are also divided, with 91 signing a petition, started by ex-Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith saying the bill should specifically prevent decisions to bring about death.
Ministers insist the bill - which relates to England and Wales - would not change laws on assisted suicide and contains a clear presumption in favour of the preservation of life.
The Mental Capacity Bill would establish a legal presumption that everybody can make decisions about treatment unless proved otherwise.
It would allow people to give somebody the power of attorney to make decisions on their behalf.
Doctors could apply to a court of protection to challenge the decision.
Critics fear the plans could allow "killing by omission" through withdrawing treatment, but an alliance of interested charities has called those fears "misplaced".
'Loopholes'
The Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF) and Lawyers' Christian Fellowship (LCF) said the bill would allow euthanasia by the "back door".
Peter Saunders of the CMF said it believed advance refusals should be only advisory, not legally binding.
"CMF is concerned that patients will make unwise and hasty advance decisions to refuse food and fluids without being properly informed about the diagnosis and the expected course their illness will take," he said.
The LCF's Andrea Williams said there were "too many loopholes that could be abused by unscrupulous doctors".
Former Labour minister Frank Field told BBC Two's Newsnight programme there was a danger people would feel under pressure to "do away" with themselves so relatives could inherit their assets.
"It totally changes the idea of a civilised society."
Liberal Democrat health spokesman Paul Burstow said the current law was unclear and that decisions about withdrawing treatment should be made by the courts on a case-by-case basis.
Minister David Lammy said laws affecting 750,000 people with dementia and five million people caring for those without mental capacity needed updating.
The Making Decisions Alliance, which includes the Alzheimer's Society, Age Concern, Mencap and the National Autistic Society, said misunderstandings over the bill had to be cleared up.
Its statement said: "It will not change the current law on euthanasia and will actually provide a series of better safeguards when decisions are made for people who lack capacity."
The British Medical Association also backs the bill, saying it just gives incapacitated people the same rights as others.
Debate on legalising euthanasia has intensified in the UK because of cases like that of motor neurone patient Diane Pretty.
She died two years ago after losing a legal battle to allow her husband to help her commit suicide.