Is it right to give people the choice to end life?

YES SARAH WOOTTON, Chief executive of Dignity in Dying

IT shouldn’t be courageous to take a decision that is popular, compassionate, sensible and safe but Guernsey is bravely taking a step towards legalising assisted dying.

In 2015, MPs decided to ignore constituents and listen to scaremongers, whose arguments are repeatedly proved wrong as more countries decide to give dying people a say over how and when they pass.

From California to Canada, Vermont to Victoria, politicians have decided to listen. What we’ve seen is remarkable: choice for the dying, protection for the vulnerable, honest and open conversations between doctors and patients.

In spring, Noel Conway will continue his legal battle, asking the British courts to decide whether his human rights are undermined by a blanket ban on assisted dying.

Like so many dying people, he wants to know that, if his suffering is unbearable, he can choose to die on his own terms.

We should applaud Guernsey for beginning this debate and hope its positive, progressive example is followed here.

NO ANDREA MINICHIELLO WILLIAMS, Chief exec of Christian Concern

GUERNSEY should not make Oregon’s mistake and legalise assisted suicide. Once legal, we switch the foundation of good medicine from seeking to save a patient to allowing situations where they can be killed.

A civilised society is judged by how it treats the most vulnerable. The answer cannot be by creating a culture to kill. The law always gets stretched. If permitted in Guernsey, we will see death tourism there.

Since legalisation in Oregon, there’s been a 380% increase in annual numbers accessing assisted suicide. There have been cases where it is offered but not lifesaving treatment.

The six-months-to-live rule has proved laughable as some live for many years after being prescribed the lethal drugs.

Records show the majority choosing assisted suicide cite loss of autonomy, not pain. This is not a reason to kill but to care. True human dignity is in serving a person who feels this way and showing their worth.

We need to create a culture where people feel they are blessings, not burdens.

Oregon’s lessons are clear. Guernsey should not go there.