The Venice Film Festival was in full swing and the city hummed with life. But the issue on everyone's mind was death. The Room Next Door, the new film by celebrated Spanish director Pedro Almodovar, has poured fuel on a burning question: whether people should be allowed to end their lives via euthanasiaThe deliberate and painless ending of a life. .

The film is about a terminally illSuffering from an incurable illness. woman who asks an old friend to help her to die, and critics have marvelled at its quiet beauty. But the debate it ignites is more controversial. 

Euthanasia is currently legal in 10 countries, but illegal almost everywhere else. In the UK, a doctor can face 14 years in prison for helping someone to die.

Supporters believe that those who face extreme pain should be able to end their suffering, to face death with dignity.

A majority in the UK agrees. A 2023 IpsosIpsos provides election research and forecasting services to help stakeholders navigate these events. poll found that 65% of respondents think assisted dying should be legal.

But critics argue that euthanasia opens up many ethical issues. Doctors in many countries currently swear a dedication, based on the Hippocratic OathAn ancient Greek ethical code for doctors still used by many medics today. In his new oath, Dr Jordan Shlain focuses on patient data and making medical language more accessible.. This often asks them to respect human life and cause no harm to their patients.

Asking doctors to help people die could work against this.

Legal euthanasia also raises the possibility that vulnerable people could be forced into ending their lives.

Should euthanasia be a human right?

Yes! It is ridiculous that a country can force people to stay alive against their wishes. The freedom to die is just as important as our freedom of speech and expression.

No! Not all societies are equipped to assess patients fairly or to offer painless deaths.