First ever survey of university students reveals they want assisted dying law to change
Twice as many university students want to change the law on assisted dying as think it should not be changed, a first-of-its-kind survey conducted by the University of Hertfordshire has revealed.
The survey, thought to be the first on this subject ever conducted by a university, is unique because it reveals the views of young people who may be the first generation to grow up with a new law allowing a form of assisted dying.
124 students, some 80% studying one of the University’s range of law and criminology courses, responded with 57% (70) saying they thought ‘assisted dying should be legalised’ while only 29% (35) said it should not. 17% said they did not know. Several students opposing a change in the law cited their religious beliefs.
Dr Claudia Carr, a former practising lawyer who specialises in teaching medical law and ethics at both undergraduate and postgraduate level at Herts, has a special interest in end-of-life issues. She said:
“The potential legalisation of assisted dying is probably one of the most seismic societal changes in a generation.
“With this in mind and, having a particular interest in assisted dying, I wanted to explore the views of my students, given that they are first time voters.
“Moreover, any legalising of assisted dying may affect them, their parents and their grandparents.
“Gen Z are often considered to be apathetic and disinterested but, those who participated in my survey offered intelligent and thought provoking insight into these complex issues.”
Aside from offering some insight into the views of younger people, the survey also takes into account one of Britain’s most multi-cultural campuses. It has also focused mainly on those studying legal disciplines.
Among the 109 (edited) comments that students expressed on the survey form were:
FOR: One student spoke passionately about caring for his grandfather who has a terminal illness and helping him shower when he was studying got his GCSEs. He said: “…Without access to assisted dying, whether for the terminally ill or otherwise outlying cases, the right to live, and all the rights which help protect the right to life, all suddenly become the right to suffer”.
FOR: “People have autonomy and should therefore have the ability, where possible, to choose how they die…There should definitely be limitations to be eligible etc, but I strongly believe people of sound mind should be able to make that decision for themselves.”
FOR: “I believe that quality of life is something that can be assessed by the person it affects. So if we were to say that someone with a terminal illness had a quality of life that would mean they should stay alive by an objective standard, the person themselves might not agree. I do think that the person should be mentally sound when making the decision, however.”
FOR: “As a person with chronic illnesses, I believe that no one should have to live in continuous pain i f they do not wish to. Suicide rates are additionally at an all time high for those with conditions that have no cure/suitable treatment for the individual.”
AGAINST: “Everyone’s death is written at a specific date and time. No one should be able to take their own life. A new treatment may become available whilst they are ill which could mean they would be able to live longer. However, if assisted dying becomes legalised, then this opportunity would be taken away from them.”
AGAINST: “It risks undermining the value of human life and could lead to potential coercion or abuse of vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly or disabled. There is also concern that legalizing it could create a slippery slope, expanding eligibility beyond terminally ill patients and compromising the ethical responsibilities of healthcare providers.”