Right to die

Your leader on the report from the Commission on Assisted Dying (5 January) brings a fresh perspective to the debate by suggesting that religious believers should acknowledge that medical advances which make assisted dying possible may themselves be God-given.

This is indeed so. Christianity has long maintained that God gives humanity freedom and responsibility. Why not then the ultimate freedom and responsibility over life itself?

Furthermore, the assumption that only God has the right to give or take life may be challenged on the grounds that traditionally Christianity has permitted the taking of life in certain circumstances, for example a just war. May the circumstances which permit the taking of life not be extended to conditions where life means intolerable and incurable suffering?

Of course, anyone who argues that only God can take the life of someone who is in such pain must answer the question why a merciful God allows the pain in the first place.

R A HAWKE

Craiglockhart Road

Edinburgh

The prospects for the revival at Holyrood of MSP Margo Mac- Donald’s bill on assisted dying will be enhanced by the findings of Lord Falconer’s commission, but more, I think, because of the publicity the report has created rather than its main, substantive recommendation.

It is one that seems to have the merit of simplicity. A terminally ill person, with less than a year to live, should be able to request legally that a GP prescribe medication that would bring his or her life to an end. That means a choice made without undue pressure and made on the best medical advice.

Mrs MacDonald’s first bill did cover those points. I am not sure that inserting a new “one year to go” provision will add to the credibility of the proposed measure.Lord Falconer has reminded us of what a complex matter this is. But Mrs MacDonald would be wise to focus on the main principles rather than be distracted by one proposal which may not have been though out in full.

BOB TAYLOR

Shiel Court

Glenrothes, Fife

I was surprised to read that Margo MacDonald MSP plans to launch a further assisted suicide bill, barely a year after her last attempt was defeated by 85 votes to 16.

I was, however, not at all surprised by the result of the Falconer “commission”. That it was supported by Dignity in Dying, funded by Terry Pratchett, boycotted by, among others, the British Medical Association, which is strongly opposed to assisted suicide, and with nine of its 11 “experts” known to be advocates of assisted suicide, its conclusions were somewhat inevitable.

Is it not time these tiresome campaigns to change the law were laid to rest?

(DR) EUAN DODDS

Crow Road

Glasgow