An issue of compassion

DR Calum Mackellar (Letters, June 22) opposes the proposed assisted dying bill. May I contribute my responses to his assertions?

He writes: “Because if a society accepts assisted suicide, it also means that it accepts that some lives are unworthy of life.” No, it does not. It means accepting the right of any individual to decide for themselves if, and when, their condition and quality of life is no longer acceptable to them.

“It means accepting, for the very first time in Scotland, the principle that not all lives are equal in value and worth.” No, it does not. The principle can still prevail. That does not preclude that an individual can consider that their own illness, disability and quality of life has reached a stage which is unacceptable to them.

“There is always something palliative care can do to address suffering even in the most difficult of cases.” So, the only option should be to be kept in suspended existence, even for a prolonged period, against one’s wishes and when all or most of the life, action

and activity which measures your own values of quality and acceptability have been removed from you? Also, many experts have stated the limits of suitability and effectiveness of palliative care. Contributing “something” can be inadequate.

“But having the absolute right to decide that one’s life is unworthy of life logically means that one can believe that another person’s life, in a similar situation, would be unworthy of life, which completely undermines civilised society.”

Under what system of logic does that prevail? Making a personal choice on one’s own life and death still accords others the right, in a similar situation, to make their own judgments and choices. That, rather, is a mark of a civilised person and a civilised society.

It is not an issue of absolute assertion, polemic and false logic. It is an issue of the compassion, mercy and understanding of a civilised society.

Whatever the length, measure, success or failure, tragedy or happiness, of the individual life, I can think of no sadder or more cruel ending than being left in prolonged distress and despair, and being denied mercy, calm, peace, and release, when one expressly wishes and requests it. Norman Dryden, Edinburgh.