Project To Explore Public Views on Assisted Dying
We are privileged to announce our involvement in an ambitious and meaningful project aimed at exploring public views on assisted dying in England, in partnership with Nuffield Council on Bioethics, Hopkins Van Mil, and the Sortition Foundation. This initiative aligns seamlessly with the principles of integrity, rigour, and commitment to understanding the intricacies of public opinion on complex social issues which we bring to all of our research, including studies in the health and wellbeing arena.
The topic of assisted dying is gaining international attention, with many jurisdictions worldwide revisiting their stances on the matter. In England, the conversation has been hindered by a lack of in-depth data. This project aims to fill this void by providing robust, credible evidence that captures the diverse views of our citizens. Steve Handley and Kirsty Marshall will lead the project at M·E·L Research.
“Understanding public opinion on sensitive issues like assisted dying is crucial. This study represents a significant step towards grasping the complex ethical, social, and practical considerations that shape public attitudes in England. The comprehensive approach we and partners will deliver, which includes both quantitative surveys and a Citizens’ Jury, aims to provide a nuanced understanding of public views, thereby informing policy and public discourse. The insights gained will be invaluable in guiding informed and empathetic discussions on this important matter. We’re very proud to be involved in the project and working with this group of partner organisations.”
Kirsty Marshall, Associate Director & Steve Handley, Quantitative Research Director, M·E·L Research
Project Overview
The project, which will unfold over the next 12 months, involves a collaboration with Hopkins Van Mil and the Sortition Foundation on behalf of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics. Our collective goal is to design, facilitate, and organise a series of surveys and a Citizens’ Jury. This multifaceted approach will allow us to delve into the ethical, social, and practical complexities surrounding the topic of assisted dying and accurately reflect the sentiments of people living in England.
Primary project objectives
The aim of this project is to conduct two quantitative surveys and a Citizens’ Jury with members of the public to investigate public opinions on assisted dying in England. This includes examining the specific situations and conditions in which assisted dying could be deemed acceptable or not, as well as understanding the social, ethical, and practical factors that the public deems significant in shaping their views and judgements. The end goal is to engage with government, media, and key stakeholders (including professional organisations) regarding the outcomes of the research and public involvement, with the purpose of contributing to upcoming discussions in this field.
During this work, the Nuffield Council on Bioethics will not take a position on assisted dying. The focus is on generating a process with recommendations from the public which can contribute to real life decision making and support an informed public debate on the topic.
Specific objectives of the public engagement activities
- To carry out a nationally representative quantitative survey of the English population to understand and document current perspectives on assisted dying.
- To apply the findings of this initial survey to guide the selection process for the Citizens’ Jury.
- To utilise the public deliberation process to delve into the opinions and judgements of an informed Citizens’ Jury about the existing laws on assisted dying in England. This includes examining the specific scenarios and limitations where assisted dying might be allowable or not, as well as the ethical, social, and practical issues surrounding assisted dying that the public considers crucial in forming their opinions and judgements.
- To execute a second nationally representative quantitative survey of the English populace to collect opinions on the recommendations and views of the Citizens’ Jury.
- To compile and disseminate a report designed for sharing, which will contribute to and inform ongoing and forthcoming discussions concerning assisted dying.
Our Pride in Collaboration
Henrietta Hopkins, Director of Hopkins Van Mil, has rightly pointed out the existing gap in evidence regarding public views on assisted dying. This project presents an opportunity to address this gap and signifies our on-going commitment to engaging with diverse public perspectives and handling the findings with the sensitivity and accuracy they deserve.
“As an independent body that is dedicated to examining ethical issues in bioscience and health, we are used to navigating emerging and evolving debates. We believe public views must inform the ethical analysis of questions that have the potential to impact us all. This is why we have a responsibility to explore topics like assisted dying, which we believe currently lack the much-needed detailed fresh insights into the public’s views.”
Rebecca Mussell, Associate Director of Policy and Research, Nuffield Council on Bioethics
Ethical Considerations
An independent Advisory Board, chaired by Professor Anne Kerr, will play a pivotal role in guiding this project. Their expertise will ensure that all methods throughout the project are balanced, rigorous, and maintain the highest levels of integrity. This approach is crucial in a project dealing with a topic as sensitive and ethically charged as assisted dying.
If you would like to learn more about the project, you can contact the team directly, or find out more here: https://www.nuffieldbioethics.org/news/project-to-explore-public-views-on-assisted-dying-begins
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