Ian McEwan calls for assisted dying rights to extend to dementia sufferers
The author, whose family has been impacted by dementia, says provision in living wills could clarify intentions when a person declines to the point they are ‘alive and dead all at once’
TL;DR
- Ian McEwan supports the gradual extension of legalised assisted dying to dementia sufferers.
- He criticizes the extensive amendments and filibustering opposing the UK's assisted dying bill.
- The bill, if passed, would legalize assisted dying for adults with less than six months to live in England and Wales.
- McEwan has personal experience with dementia through his mother, brother-in-law, and another family member.
- He is writing a new novel exploring the negative impacts of the internet on childhood and society.
- His latest book, "What We Know," features dementia as a major theme and also addresses climate change.
- McEwan expresses a mix of optimism and pessimism regarding humanity's future, particularly concerning climate change and the 'human project'.