TY - JOUR T1 - Physician assisted suicide — a good death? JF - British Journal of General Practice JO - Br J Gen Pract SP - 923 LP - 923 VL - 57 IS - 544 AU - Lesley Morrison Y1 - 2007/11/01 UR - http://bjgp.org/content/57/544/923.abstract N2 - The conference, ‘Physician assisted death — a good death?’ at the Royal College of Physicians in Edinburgh in early October, invited healthcare professionals, lawyers, students in related disciplines, and concerned members of the public, to consider the very important subject, ‘What is a good death today?’ In some countries it is legal for doctors to assist a person to commit suicide, but Lord Joffe's proposals to the House of Lords and MSP Jeremy Purvis' proposals to the Scottish Parliament in favour of patient-assisted death (PAS) have both been rejected. Yet, a recent study in the Journal of Medical Ethics examined statistics relating to assisted dying schemes in Oregon (where 50–60 people per year opt for the scheme) and the Netherlands, and reported that there was no evidence for current concerns around legalised PAS or voluntary euthanasia. They found no justification for fears that the vulnerable in society might be subjected to pressure and be disproportionately likely to take the decision … ER -