Policy Research Media Morhamburn

To paraphrase Terry Pratchett’s Richard Dimbleby lecture that was broadcast on BBC 1 last night, there is increasingly a feeling that momentum is building behind the idea of assisted dying, with it beginning to feel like an idea whose time has come.

There can be no argument that it is an idea that is generating a lot of debate and discussion at the moment. Terry Pratchett is obviously a very eloquent and articulate advocate who is motivated by his own illness, and his profile and advocacy is driving the debate down south.

In Scotland we have a similar situation; only through circumstance our own campaigner Margo Macdonald is in a position to force a legislative debate on the issue with her End of Life Bill.

It is an emotive issue, but the quiet, reasoned dignity with which its two chief champions put forward their case is contrasted by the reactionary and at times hysterical, opposition to the idea.

While they ask for the right to be helped on their way towards imminent death in order to avoid the worst pain, indignity and trauma to themselves and to their families, their opponents believe that nature, god or medicine should be the ultimate decision-makers in this instance.

God is obviously not a good argument to use – mainly because if you believe in God and that only he can decide, then you can choose not to take advantage of the proposed right – a simple solution, in which those adherents to whatever faith can live as they choose, without using their beliefs to dictate to others.

Nature is likewise not a good argument – mainly because we turned from that path a long time ago by advancing medicine to the extent that we have.

Medicine seems to me to be the only reasoned opposition; namely, that medical professionals may not want to have to take the decision and/or administer that decision. Of course that is fair enough, and that should absolutely be their choice, as it should be the patient’s choice.

Behind the hyperbole and the threats of legal challenge from the Catholic Church here in Scotland, there is a very rational, very dignified and very compassionate choice to allow people to choose what suits their beliefs and circumstances best; who are you, me, the Church or the State to argue?

With appropriate safeguards in place, who could possibly be against anyone else’s right to choose?

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