Citizens’ Jury Backs Assisted Dying Law Change

A citizens' jury in England has voted in favor of legalizing assisted dying for terminally ill individuals, with 20 out of 28 jurors supporting the change after an eight-week deliberation period. The Nuffield Council on Bioethics (NCOB) organized the jury, which was designed to be representative of the population. However, the results have faced criticism from opponents of assisted dying, questioning the impartiality and methodology of the jury selection. Despite these criticisms, the jury's findings reflect broader public support for assisted dying, as evidenced by opinion polls and the backing of public figures like Dame Esther Rantzen. Keir Starmer has indicated support for a free vote in Parliament on the issue. The debate is expected to be taken up in both the UK and Scottish Parliaments in the coming months.