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Euthanasia vs assisted dying
In euthanasia a doctor gives the drug that ends the patient's life. In assisted dying the patient takes it themselves after a doctor has prescribed it.
Summary
- Assisted dying is also called assisted suicide. Campaigners keep the first term for people who are already terminally ill.
- Both are illegal in the UK. Helping someone to end their life carries up to 14 years in prison in England and Wales under the Suicide Act 1961.
- A bill to allow assisted dying for terminally ill adults in England and Wales passed the House of Commons in June 2025 and ran out of time in the House of Lords in April 2026. MPs voted down a second bill in September 2026.
- Both differ from withdrawing treatment, and from giving pain relief that may shorten life as a side effect.
Interview questions
- What is the difference between euthanasia and assisted dying?
- What safeguards would an assisted dying law need?
- Should doctors be the ones to help patients die?
Practise answering these with a mentor
Our interview preparation has you answer questions like these out loud, with feedback on each answer.
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