UK TV Broadcasts an Assisted Suicide

Assisted suicides to be restricted to the terminally ill

(NEWSER) - Swiss authorities are trying to cut back on the numbers of people swarming its borders with the intention of dying. The government plans to cut back or even ban assisted suicide amid concerns that too many people—some of them not suffering terminal illnesses—are traveling to Switzerland for assisted suicides, reports the BBC . There were 400 cases of assisted suicide in the country last year, including 132 foreigners. More»

As Britain eases rules, Switzerland fears rush of ill bent on killing themselves

(NEWSER) - Swiss politicians have stepped up efforts to battle "suicide tourism" as British officials prepare to announce new rules expected to make it easier for citizens to cross borders to die, reports the Independent. Some 115 Britons have died at assisted suicide operations run by Dignitas in Switzerland. Assisted suicide is legal in Switzerland under certain conditions. Several doctors, however, question how rigorous the screening process is for Dignitas patients. More»

Court orders that current law be clarified

(NEWSER) - A British woman has won her legal battle to force the government to clarify its law on assisted suicide, the Guardian reports. Multiple sclerosis sufferer Debbie Purdy, whose health is deteriorating, wants to travel to a Swiss euthanasia clinic to die when her condition becomes unbearable. Britain's highest court agreed that the government needs to issue a policy statement on whether her husband could face criminal charges if he helps her to travel there. More»

(NEWSER) - Some 800 Brits have signed up to commit suicide at a controversial Swiss clinic, reports the Guardian. The terminally ill patients have become members of Dignitas so they can travel to Zurich when the time comes to take a drug overdose. The number of British residents crossing the border for assisted suicide continues to climb, triggering heightened debate in Britain about a nationwide ban on the practice. More»

Lord West got 66-1 odds on Labour defeat

(NEWSER) - Lord Alan West, the UK’s colorful security minister, today denied he’d bet on the Labour party’s defeat in the next election, the Times of London reports. The Telegraph yesterday alleged that West placed the bet when Gordon Brown succeeded Tony Blair as prime minister, grabbing 66-1 odds. West refuted that, adding, “I have never placed a bet at all while a minister ever on a political issue.” More»