How does assisted dying work in other countries?
BBC News explores how different nations around the world address assisted dying, highlighting the diverse legal landscapes and varied approaches.
Global Perspectives on Assisted Dying
Approximately 400 million people now reside in countries that have legalized assisted dying. Since 2015, when UK MPs last debated the issue, several countries have introduced laws allowing assisted dying, expanding access beyond terminally ill individuals. Notably, France recently adopted a law providing ‘aid in dying’ for adults facing incurable conditions causing unbearable pain.
United States
In the US, assisted dying, or assisted suicide as some critics term it, is legal in 30 out of 50 states, along with Washington DC. Oregon pioneered this practice globally in 1997, setting a model for subsequent US laws.
Oregon’s Approach:
- Eligibility: Open to terminally ill, mentally competent adults expected to live less than six months.
- Process: Two doctors must certify the patient’s condition and predictability of death.
- Implementation: Patients self-administer a lethal dose, as proposed for England and Wales.
Oregon’s Track Record:
- Since 1997, over 5,500 individuals have received prescriptions; 3,691 deaths.
- 2025 report reveals that cancer (61%), neurological conditions (14%), and heart disease (11%) were the most common causes of assisted death.
Criticisms and Considerations:
- Opponents argue rules have relaxed, with changes like removing residency requirements.
- Proponents point to Oregon’s restricted access for terminally ill patients.
Canada
Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) was introduced in 2016, initially for the terminally ill. Amended in 2021, it now extends to individuals experiencing "unbearable suffering" from irreversible illness or disability. However, plans to include those with mental illness are on hold. Critics warn of a "slippery slope," citing Canada’s higher assisted death rates compared to Oregon, with roughly one in every 20 deaths now assisted.
Europe
Europe has six countries with legal forms of assisted dying: Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, Austria, and most recently, France. Each nation has unique guidelines, reflecting diverse cultural and ethical perspectives on this complex issue.
