英国"安乐死"接近合法化，引发巨大争议 推荐阅读 2025.06. 26 微信编辑 | 夏木 ...

Core Points - The UK Parliament's House of Commons passed the "Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill" with a vote of 314 to 291, allowing terminally ill adults with a life expectancy of six months or less to end their lives through medical means [1][2] - The bill will now be reviewed by the House of Lords, where it is expected to pass despite potential amendments or delays [1] - The legislation has sparked significant public debate, with supporters calling it a major social reform and opponents warning of potential societal risks [1][3] Support and Opposition - Supporters argue that the legislation empowers individuals to make choices about their own lives, particularly for terminally ill patients [4] - Opponents raise concerns about the sanctity of life, the protection of vulnerable groups, and the potential for a "slippery slope" effect, where the criteria for assisted dying could be gradually expanded [4] - Critics also highlight the risk of societal pressure on vulnerable individuals to choose death, questioning whether such a choice would truly be voluntary [4] Economic Implications - The introduction of assisted dying services would create additional costs for the National Health Service (NHS), with estimated daily operational costs of around £2,000 and annual costs between £10.9 million and £13.6 million [5] - While some reports suggest that legalizing assisted dying could lead to long-term savings for the healthcare system, this notion has faced strong criticism from opponents who argue that it raises ethical concerns about valuing life based on economic factors [6] - There are fears that economic considerations could lead to negative incentives within the NHS, potentially encouraging the abandonment of treatment for seriously ill patients [7]

Core Points - The UK House of Commons passed a controversial euthanasia legalization proposal with a vote of 314 in favor and 291 against, which is now submitted to the House of Lords for review [1] - The proposed legislation allows adults in England and Wales with terminal illnesses and a life expectancy of no more than six months to seek euthanasia, while excluding Scotland and Northern Ireland [1] - The bill requires that patients seeking euthanasia must have the capacity to self-administer medication and receive approval from two doctors and a professional assessment team [1] Group 1 - The legislation has sparked significant opposition within the UK, with critics arguing it may pressure disabled individuals and the elderly to end their lives [1][2] - The latest version of the bill removed the requirement for high court approval, raising concerns about regulatory oversight [1] - The Royal College of Psychiatrists expressed neutrality on euthanasia but opposed the current legislative framework, questioning the qualifications and judgment of the assessment team [1] Group 2 - The bill has caused internal controversy within the UK government, with Prime Minister Starmer supporting it while the Health Secretary and Justice Secretary oppose it due to potential impacts on their respective fields [2] - Euthanasia remains illegal in England and Wales, with those assisting in death facing up to 14 years in prison [2] - Over 3,900 UK citizens have sought euthanasia in Switzerland over the past 20 years, and if the bill passes, it is estimated that 7,500 individuals may seek euthanasia annually within the next decade [2]