Experts Urge Holyrood Not To Give Up On Assisted Suicide Bill

Doctors, philosophers and academics have written to the Scottish Government ahead amidst fears that a bill legalising assisted suicide could fall at the first hurdle.

The human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell and philosopher Professor AC Grayling are among the academics and medical experts asking Holyrood not to give up on the legislation. The health and sport committee at Holyrood is due to publish its report into the issue in the coming weeks, and campaigners are afraid that it will not pass the first stage of discussions.

The bill would allow terminally ill patients to request to end their life through a medical professional. Bob Scott, Spokesperson for the My Life, My Death, My Choice campaign, said:

“It is clear there is broad public support for some kind of change in the law regarding how an individual chooses to end their own life when suffering from a terminal or life-shortening condition.  To have such intelligent thinkers urging MSPs to, at the very least, ensure the debate continues through Stage 1, demonstrates the broad public support for this proposal.

"We hope MSPs on the Health & Sport Committee will urge their colleagues to allow this legislation to progress through parliament, where it will be subject to reasonable amendment. That will include ensuring all possible safeguards are in place.  Evidence from elsewhere shows that compassionate laws similar to what is being proposed here can operate successfully yet protecting the vulnerable."