1/ In today’s committee, witnesses with no expertise in eating disorders made inaccurate statements that went unchecked & unchallenged.
MPs and the public were misled about the risks this bill poses to people with eating disorders.
Let’s look at the facts. 🧵👇
MPs and the public were misled about the risks this bill poses to people with eating disorders.
Let’s look at the facts. 🧵👇
2/ @DrNaomiRichards, an anthropologist and researcher in 'end of life studies', told the committee:
“The numbers are really tiny... you’re talking one or two people in the history of assisted dying… it’s a very minor issue.”
This is false.
“The numbers are really tiny... you’re talking one or two people in the history of assisted dying… it’s a very minor issue.”
This is false.
3/ Our study found at least 60 people w/ eating disorders who were assisted in death — including in Oregon, California, and Colorado.
In addition, we identified 25 cases in California and Colorado where severe malnutrition was listed as the qualifying terminal condition.
In addition, we identified 25 cases in California and Colorado where severe malnutrition was listed as the qualifying terminal condition.
4/ But the total number of deaths remains unverified.
Oversight agencies in California, Colorado, and Oregon confirmed that patients with eating disorders had died by assisted death—but would not disclose how many.
Oversight agencies in California, Colorado, and Oregon confirmed that patients with eating disorders had died by assisted death—but would not disclose how many.
We found eating disorder deaths were categorised in vague classifications like “Other Illnesses” in state reports.
If a physician hadn't published case reports about it, no one outside oversight agencies would have even known these deaths occurred.
If a physician hadn't published case reports about it, no one outside oversight agencies would have even known these deaths occurred.
In short: There is so little oversight in the U.S. that it is not possible to determine how many people with eating disorders have died by assisted death.
Yet today, witnesses dismissed the deaths of real human beings as “just one or two cases.”
Why was this not factchecked?
Yet today, witnesses dismissed the deaths of real human beings as “just one or two cases.”
Why was this not factchecked?
The committee cannot make informed decisions based on false information.
I respectfully request @kimleadbeater and the committee formally correct the record to reflect the facts.
I respectfully request @kimleadbeater and the committee formally correct the record to reflect the facts.
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