Margo launches assisted suicide talks

Published on 08/12/2008 08:41

PARKINSON'S disease sufferer Margo MacDonald MSP will today launch a consultation on a new law to allow assisted suicide for people with degenerative conditions, terminal illnesses and dependent trauma victims.

Ms MacDonald, who has been forthcoming about her own wish to end her life at a time of her choosing, is seeking the support of 18 MSPs to introduce a Bill on End of Life Choices.

She said: "Although suicide is not a crime, it is illegal in Scots Law for assistance to be given to end a life, even if that help is requested by the person wishing to die.

"This appears to be inequitable as it is legal for a person to instruct that no resuscitation should be attempted following an illness, trauma, stroke or coma.

"The motivation for this instruction, given while the person concerned is capable of making such a judgement in a Living Will, is the person's wish to shorten a life that they would judge intolerable.

"Why should it be legal for a person to exercise autonomy, and refuse treatment from a physician to preserve his or her life, yet illegal for a physician to respond to a request for medication that would have the same result in ending a life ?

Following the attempt by Jeremy Purvis MSP to introduce a Member's Bill on assisted dying, public interest in the matter has intensified. These communications indicate a desire to debate the concept of patient 'autonomy', even where people may not have arrived at a fixed opinion.

"Therefore, I have launched this consultation and will seek the support of 18 MSPs to introduce a Bill on End of Life Choices."

Ms MacDonald appears in a special Panorama programme on the issue on BBC1 tonight at 8.30pm.