On June 28th Greg Atkins (for) and Graham Stride (against) from Wincanton explored the arguments for and against Assisted Dying. in order to initiate  our discussion.  To  prepare here is a recent cover article in favor from the Economist. Also highly recommended is a documentary on the BBC I Player entitled BETTER OFF DEAD in which the presenter is against assisted dying from the perspective of a disabled person.
A further paper on this site is an updated version of a paper written for ANVIL in 2013 (John Baxter). To read it go to  the main headings above and click on ASSISTED DYING. A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT? (Quite a long paper!)

In two excellent presentations our Proposer, Greg, and Responder, Graham, both gave their opinions, not so much debating one side against the other, as exploring themes and making us all aware of the many different ways that forms of assisted dying could be introduced varying from the most restrictive, that is only for those suffering from immanent death from a very painful condition, through to cases where the right to choose to die is seen as a human right open to all. There are also a wide range of options from self medication to the lethal medication being given by a doctor. Then there were the issues of elegibility. Those with long term non lethal but very unpleasant condidtions to those with mental health problems or dementia or children with very severe extreme handicaps.  Then there are the social problems raised in Canada where poverty and homelessness have been given as grounds for seeking death and where the take up of assisted dying is starting to save the health service a substantial amount..

Since this is such a controversial and  many-faceted subject JB who was chair for the meeting suggested the earlier ANVIL practice of inviting all who wished to express uninterrupted their point of view after the main speakers and before the coffee break and almost everyone chose to speak . After coffee we had a full discussion with questions and answers. The result was overall a thoroughly provoking and satisfying session which left us all with an understanding of the complexities and variations that the provision of assisted dying schemes might lead to.