The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Bill would let people pick death
MSP Liam Mcarthur’s Member’s Bill would allow competent terminally ill adults to request assistance to end their lives.
The Philosophers’ Consortium on Assisted Dying in Scotland, comprising of ethical philosophy professors at Edinburgh, Glasgow and St Andrews universities, said the proposals would give vulnerable people “control”.
Joseph Millum, of St Andrews University, said the proposals have “strong safeguards” to protect against misuse.
Lib Dem Mr Mcarthur’s proposed assisted dying Bill is currently being drafted, with the final text available later this year.
It would be available to those aged 16 and over who have a prognosis of no longer than six months to live, deemed to be of competent mind and able to administer and ingest the medication themselves.
Two independent doctors would have to determine the patient met the criteria.
Dr Millum said: “Even with the best that modern medicine can provide, many patients suffer terribly at the end of life.
“That suffering is made worse by their lack of control. This Bill would give adults with terminal illnesses the power to control how their lives end.
“It would give doctors who are willing to be involved another means to help their patients.
“And it has strong safeguards against misuse. Decades of experience from around the world show that assisted dying can be legalised safely and responsibility.”
In response, Mr Mcarthur said: “As I finalise the Bill, I welcome the input and support of such experts on end-of-life ethics.
“The Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults Bill will work alongside palliative care to offer choice to dying people.
“The group has considered the evidence on both the need for a new law on assisted dying and how it works in practice; evidence I look forward to sharing further with my MSP colleagues.
“The public are in favour of changing the law and I’m pleased to add this group to their number.”
However, faith leaders held a meeting in Holyrood last week to voice their strong opposition.
A joint statement from leaders of the Church of Scotland, the Catholic Church and the Scottish Association of Mosques said “common humanity” would be lost by its introduction.