Call for a 'toe in the water' approach to assisted dying

Published on Monday 5 July 2010 09:40

ONE of Scotland's most distinguished academic societies is urging a "toe in the water" approach over proposals to legalise assisted dying.

The Royal Society of Edinburgh, an independent charity set up by Royal Charter in 1783, says Margo MacDonald's Bill would mean such a significant and controversial change that it should include a clause requiring a fresh debate in five or ten years' time.

Ms MacDonald's Bill would allow people who feel their lives have become intolerable through terminal illness or a degenerative condition to ask for assistance to end their life, subject to a range of safeguards.

In a submission to the Scottish Parliament committee considering the Bill, the Royal Society of Edinburgh says:

"There are few black and white answers to the questions it raises and it is difficult to predict the impact that its proposals might have on individuals and communities should it become law.

"In light of this, it is suggested that consideration should be given to including an explicit clause that would require a re-debate of any resulting legislation in, for example, five or ten years' time. While this would be a highly unusual step, the RSE believes that a 'toe in the water' approach is eminently suitable for such a fundamental piece of legislation. A re-debate would be significantly better informed than is possible at present."

Ms MacDonald said: "They are the first to suggest it, but I have thought about this as a possibility and I'm happy with it."

More than 600 individuals and organisations sent in their views on Ms MacDonald's Bill and 87 per cent of the submissions were against it.

Doctors' organisation BMA Scotland is "fundamentally opposed to any change in the law", while the Royal College of Nursing said it had a position of neutrality on assisted suicide.

The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh took no stance, but highlighted some concerns about details of the bill.

The Catholic Church made clear its opposition to the Bill: "It will strike a blow against the fundamental sanctity of human life and will permit many lives to be put at risk through varying degrees of psychological, social or cultural coercion."

A joint statement from the Church of Scotland, Methodist Church and Salvation Army said the Bill would breach the prohibition on the taking of human life, but a working group from the United Reformed Church in Scotland said assisted dying, as conceived in the terms of the Bill, could be viewed as "a loving act".

The Lothian Centre for Inclusive Living, a user-led disabled people's organisation, said there was divided opinion on the proposals among disabled people, but noted some "serious concerns and objections".