Newsgathering and Writing | In-Class Assignment #11

💬 Week 12

Tay Yee Shien 0341472

Newsgathering and Writing: In-Class Assignment #11

Courts and Crime

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Doctor Cleared of All Charges for Aiding Patient Take Assisted Suicide

UNITED KINGDOM: The Board for Professional Medical Conduct cleared Dr. Catrina Lowrie of criminal responsibility for aiding her patient take assisted suicide. 

37-year-old leukemia-stricken Irma Cain chose to end her life six months ago with the barbiturates prescribed to her by Lowrie rather than go through chemotherapy, which would only have increased her chance of survival by 25%.

“She could not have known with certainty what use a patient might make of the drug she prescribed, and which was totally appropriate and needed by her patient,” the board stated during their ruling.

The board added that this case was different from previous cases as Lowrie had a longstanding relationship with Cain. Moreover, she did not directly take part in her death. Hence, instead of revoking her medical license, they concluded that Lowrie's actions were ‘legal and ethically appropriate.’