Concerns about the expansion of assisted dying eligibility have emerged as UK lawmakers debate the Terminally Ill Adults bill. Politicians from multiple parties have questioned whether introducing assisted dying legislation inevitably leads to broader access criteria, citing international examples where the scope of such laws has changed since implementation. The debate centers on whether assisted dying expansion is an unavoidable consequence or whether proper safeguards can maintain original restrictions.
According to recent parliamentary discussions, Plaid Cymru’s Delyth Jewell and Conservative Mark Isherwood raised concerns about jurisdictions where assisted dying eligibility has widened beyond initial parameters. Meanwhile, supporters of the current UK proposals, including Lord Falconer, argue the bill follows the model established in Oregon, where core requirements have remained unchanged for over two decades.
Assisted Dying in Oregon Remains Stable
Oregon’s assisted dying law has maintained its fundamental provisions since implementation 26 years ago. The requirement that individuals must be terminally ill with an expected prognosis of six months or less has not been altered throughout this period, according to defenders of the legislation.
However, critics including Cardiff University palliative care expert Baroness Ilora Finlay point to data showing significant growth in utilization. Records indicate assisted dying cases increased from 16 in 1998 to 278 in 2022, though the eligibility criteria themselves remained consistent.
Canada Expands Eligibility Through Court Challenges
The Canadian experience demonstrates how assisted dying laws can evolve beyond their original scope. Initially, Canada’s legislation required patients to be terminally ill to qualify for the procedure.
Following a legal challenge, authorities amended the law in 2021 to include non-terminal conditions. The revised criteria now permit access for individuals with a “grievous and irremediable medical condition” deemed “intolerable,” significantly broadening eligibility beyond terminal illness.
Belgium Extends Access to Minors
Belgium represents another case of assisted dying expansion through legislative change. In 2014, the country extended its euthanasia law to include terminally ill children with “a capacity of discernment,” according to official records.
Data shows six minors have accessed assisted dying since the policy change. The expansion marked a significant shift from the adult-only provisions that existed when the law was first enacted.
Research Challenges Slippery Slope Concerns
Despite documented changes in some jurisdictions, academic research presents a more nuanced picture. An academic study reviewing all assisted deaths in Belgium, published last year in a medical journal, found no evidence supporting the “slippery slope” argument frequently raised by opponents.
The research concluded that “safeguards appear effective” in Belgium, suggesting that expansion does not necessarily indicate inadequate protections. Additionally, the study’s findings indicate that legislative changes may reflect deliberate democratic decisions rather than unintended erosion of restrictions.
In contrast, the variations across different countries highlight how assisted dying laws can take divergent paths. The Oregon model emphasizes stability in eligibility criteria, while Canada and Belgium demonstrate how legal frameworks can adapt through court decisions and parliamentary amendments.
As UK lawmakers continue debating the Terminally Ill Adults bill, the international evidence presents both cautionary tales and reassuring examples. The coming months will likely see further scrutiny of safeguards designed to prevent unintended expansion, though the timeline for final decisions remains uncertain.
