MSPs report on right-to-die bill

old ladies handsThe MSP wants to see people over the age of 16 given the right to die

Politicians at Holyrood are expected to recommend that a bill to legalise assisted suicide should be thrown out.

Independent MSP Margo MacDonald is behind the bid to give terminally ill people over 16 the right to die.

The committee set up to look at the End of Life Assistance Bill will publish its recommendations later.

It is one of the most contentious pieces of legislation to come before the Scottish Parliament and opponents say it would encourage suicide tourism.

They reckon the move would result in 1,000 people ending their lives each year.

End of Life Assistance Bill – Key measuresPerson must be terminally ill or “permanently physically incapacitated”Request must be made to and approved by doctor and psychiatristBoth must be asked twice after 15-days cooling off periodAssistance must be supervised by the approving doctorClose friends and relatives banned from administering drugOnly over-16s qualifyApplicants must be registered with Scottish GP for 18 monthsBill does not apply to those with dementia or other degenerative mental conditionEnd of life Assistance (Scotland) Bill

However, Ms MacDonald, who has Parkinsons disease, dismissed the claims and said it was immoral that those who wish to end their lives due to terminal illnesses should have to travel to Switzerland.

The MSP for the Lothians has also accused fellow MSPs of making up their minds before hearing the evidence.

Although the special parliament committee is expected to be against the legislation, the matter will be subject to a full parliament vote within the next few weeks.

It is not illegal to attempt suicide in Scotland, but helping someone take their own life could lead to prosecution.

Ms MacDonald’s bill would allow people whose lives become intolerable through a progressive degenerative condition, a trauma or terminal illness to seek a doctor’s help in dying.

It also proposes a series of safeguards which would prevent abuse of the legislation.

In England, the director of public prosecutions has indicated he was unlikely to take legal action against those who assist the suicide of friends or relatives who have a settled and informed wish to die.

However, no such guidance has been given in Scotland.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

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