The professional body for doctors in the UK dropped its traditional opposition to assisted suicide, despite a poll that found a majority of its members remain opposed to the practice.
The Royal College of Physicians declared it has adopted a policy of neutrality, although a majority of doctors said they were against assisted suicide. In a March 21 statement published on the college’s website, Andrew Goddard, college president, said: “Adopting a neutral position will mean that we can reflect the differing opinions among our membership. Neutral means the RCP neither supports nor opposes a change in the law.”
A poll of members conducted between February 5 and March 1 found that 31.6% were in favour of the college adopting a pro-assisted suicide policy, while 43.4% were opposed and 25% were neutral.
A question asking doctors if they would also like to see British law changed to allow assisted suicide was answered affirmatively by 40.5%, while 49.1% opposed a law change and 10.4% were undecided.
The college decided in advance that it would adopt a neutral policy unless a supra-majority of more than 60% of doctors voted for or against assisted suicide.
Four doctors, including two Catholics, had applied to Britain’s High Court for a judicial review of the way the poll was conducted but were told on March 21 that their legal challenge would not be accepted.