Those needing care 'are not a burden'

George Mossman (Letters, 27 May) justifies assisted death on the grounds that those receiving care should sacrifice themselves to allow their carers "a fuller life".

I truly hope, but doubt, I have misread his meaning, otherwise his lack of humanity is frightening.

It would seem, according to Mr Mossman's logic, that the old, sick and disabled are simply a burden to the young and able-bodied, preventing them spending more time engaged in leisure pursuits.

He seems to believe that anyone spending time offering care to friends or family is wasting their life, when they could be out having fun. The old and sick should presumably, therefore, be encouraged to kill themselves to save the rest of us the trouble of caring for them.

Did Mr Mossman stop to consider how his letter might have made readers in need of care feel? Did he consider what message he is sending about the value of the selflessness of those giving care?

I believe a full life is not just about leisure and recreation. It also requires love, compassion and devotion.

One need not have cared for a sick or disabled relative or friend to know the truth of this. Any parent can vouch for the rich fulfilment that comes from the sacrifices, small and large, you make for those you love.

Mr Mossman attempts to give his views a scriptural underpinning. I'm no Biblical scholar, but anyone who has given the gospels even a cursory glance will know that the type of sacrifice in keeping with their message can be found in those who give up their time, day-in-day-out, to care for those in need.

A voluntary cull of the infirm to make things easier for the rest of us is most certainly not a Biblical idea.

Carers and those they care for deserve all the support society can give them to make their lives rich, varied and fulfilled. This support should not be in the form of encouragement to end the life of those who are vulnerable and in need of love, compassion and devotion.

GORDON MacKAY

Queen Victoria Drive

Glasgow

George Mossman suggests that Christians should commend assisted suicide as a way of relieving carers of their burdens. Quite apart from his bizarre theology, he exposes the underlying tendency of the assisted suicide movement: that what is originally urged on the grounds of increased patient autonomy soon turns into moral pressure on the ill and disabled to stop being inconvenient and just die.

DR STEPHEN WATT

Greenfield Crescent

Balerno, Edinburgh