My Death My Decision

Aims

MDMD believes there is a strong moral case to extend assistance to adults facing years of permanent and unbearable suffering. Just as compassion has served to motivate others to support assisted dying for those who are terminally ill, MDMD believes it should underscore support for those like Paul Lamb [1] (who is paralysed from the neck-down but may continue to live for several years). There is now an international consensus which supports an inclusive right-to-die; as reflected in the laws of Canada, Belgium, Italy, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.[2] As many more countries actively consider such progressive reforms, MDMD believes it is now possible to balance respect for someone’s autonomy alongside a robust system of safeguards.

Other activities and objectives of MDMD include advocating the use of Advance Decisions (also known as "living wills"), holding public meetings including an Annual Lectures, encouraging discussion regarding choice at the end of life, promote debate and discussion on end-of-life issues including physician-assisted suicide, determining the degree of UK public support for assisted dying, and maintaining communities of members who can give each other support and guidance in examining options for a legal medically assisted death abroad, whilst this option is unavailable in the UK.[3][4]

MDMD notes that a national ICM Research opinion poll from 2013 showed that 70-78% of the UK population are in support of people being legally able to receive a physician’s assistance to die if they are mentally competent and suffering terminal illness or elderly health problems.[5]

History

MDMD was established as the Society for Old Age Rational Suicide (SOARS) on 10 December 2009 (Human Rights Day) by Dr. Michael Irwin, a former Medical Director of the United Nations who has campaigned extensively for voluntary euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide.[6]

MDMD is a member of the World Federation of Right to Die Societies.[7]

Activities

In March 2019, MDMD sponsored a poll which revealed that 90% of UK citizens want to see assisted dying legalised for the terminally ill, with 88% agreeing dementia patients should have access to it whilst they still have capacity.[8]

See also

References
  1. "Paralysed Leeds man Paul Lamb loses 'right to die' case". Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  2. "Euthanasia and assisted dying rates are soaring". Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  3. "about MDMD". Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  4. "Dignitas: Legal basis". Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  5. "Assisted Dying Opinion Polls". Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  6. "Profile: Michael Irwin, former GP who founded Society for Old Age Rational Suicide". Daily Telegraph. 16 April 2015. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  7. "World Federation of Right to Die Societies: member organisations". Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  8. "Legalise assisted dying for terminally ill, say 90% of people in UK". 3 March 2019. Retrieved 5 December 2019.

Further reading
  • Brewer, Colin and Irwin, Michael (2015). “I’ll See Myself Out, Thank You” – Thirty personal views in support of physician-assisted suicide. Skyscraper Publications. ISBN 978-0992627096
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