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I acknowledge that Ray Gosling, a presenter of radio and TV documentaries who says he smothered his lover to death in hospital, may have acted out of pity (your report, 17 February).

What is frightening, however, is his admission that "sometimes doctors do it on their own – sometimes people do it on their own". Since when does the value and meaning of a human life depend on the manner in which only one person or small group of persons considers this life? Such acts of euthanasia would mean the end of a protective, ethical and just society, which recognises the value, meaning and worth of all human lives.

DR CALUM MacKELLAR

Director of research

Scottish Council on Human Bioethics

Morningside Road, Edinburgh