Royal College of Physicians reaffirms opposition to assisted suicide.

Following a consultation of its membership the RCP has reaffirmed its opposition to assisted suicide

survey of its Members by the Royal College of Physicians has shown that the majority do not support the notion that doctors should be licensed to supply lethal drugs to terminally ill people to assist their suicides.  While the degree of opposition to a change in the law has fallen, nearly 70 per cent of respondents were either opposed to a change in the law or believed that, if assisted suicide were to be legalised, it was not a proper role for doctors.  As in 2006, the majority of respondents would not be prepared to participate in assisting patients’ suicides in the event that such practices were to be legalised.  Only one in four respondents felt that the College should support a change in the law.