Misconceptions still persist about assisted dying

Primary Author or Creator:
Mhairi Black
Publisher:
The National
Alternative Published Date
2026
Type of Resource:
Opinion
Fast Facts

The Scottish Parliament’s rejection of the assisted dying bill was a missed opportunity for Scotland to lead the way on this issue.

More details

There are three reasons why I don’t think this argument holds water. Firstly, data shows that the majority of people (at least three-quarters) seeking assisted dying are already in receipt of palliative care.

Secondly, opponents often claim that most doctors already technically assist terminally ill people in dying by giving them such a high dosage of pain relief medicine that the end result is painless but fatal.

Thirdly, legalising assisted dying and providing first-class palliative care are not mutually exclusive.

English