UK News 15-12-2004 who: Iain Duncan Smith what: Deafeated over change to Mental Capacity Bill where: House of Commons, LONDON when: Yesterday snippet: The Bill will give doctors the right to refuse treatment to severely incapacitated patients if it is deemed to be in their best interest. Concerned about what Catholic Church leaders call "backdoor euthanasia," the former Tory leader had proposed an amendment to the Bill to prevent anyone from being allowed to die - or even actively killed - simply because they were unable to make their wishes known. However, the Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer of Thoroton, has promised that this distinction will be made when the bill passes through the Lords. [... more]

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