Is it time to change the law on assisted dying?

The Naked Scientists Podcast

Dr Chris Smith

Science Radio, Engineering, Naked Scientists, Natural Sciences, Technology, Life Sciences, Health & Fitness, Medicine, Science

4.6 • 957 Ratings

🗓️ 6 February 2024

⏱️ 28 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Dame Esther Rantzen reignited the debate on assisted dying in the UK after she shared the news she had joined the physician assisted dying clinic Dignitas in Switzerland. The services offered by Dignitas are illegal here in the UK, but recently some countries have been relaxing their laws in this area. The argument goes, modern medicine has given many of us the gift of much longer lives, so should it also give us the option of a more dignified death? In this episode of the Naked Scientists, James Tytko speaks with those with a personal stake in this debate, medical professionals, and a legal... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Transcript

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0:00.0	All engine running.
0:04.0	running.
0:05.0	Absolutely genius. Get this.
0:06.0	Welcome.
0:07.0	This is the show where we bring you science.
0:09.0	What that essentially means is
0:10.0	Discoveries,
0:11.0	advances, research, technology,
0:13.5	unbelievable.
0:14.7	Without further ado, this is the naked scientist.
0:18.5	Hello and welcome to the naked scientists,
0:20.9	the show where we bring you the latest breakthroughs in science, technology and medicine, with me James Titco.
0:27.0	Modern medicine has given many of us the gift of much longer lives, but should it also be providing us with the option of a more comfortable death?
0:34.8	That's the argument of those who are in favour of a change in the law on assisted dying here in the
0:39.0	UK, which we'll be exploring today.
0:41.6	From Cambridge University's Institute of Continuing Education,
0:45.2	this is the Naked Scientist. The debate around whether assisted dying should be made legal in the UK has made
1:01.0	front-page news following Dame Esther Ranson's revelation
1:04.5	that she has stage for lung cancer. The broadcaster told BBC Radio 4 that the
1:10.0	current legislation needs a rethink and that she's decided to join an
1:13.8	assisted dying clinic in Switzerland. I have joined Dignitas. I have in my
1:21.1	brain thought well if the next scan says nothing's working I might buzz off to
	...

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