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Unlike many an article written in this section of the GUUi I am not going to pedal some form of personal opinion but give room for an element of discussion. The right to choose when to die and euthanasia deserves an element of discussion as it is something that either has or will affect many of us as our population ages.In December the Scottish Parliament rejected Margo MacDonald’s proposed bill that would allow people to end their lives at time chosen by them by 85 votes to 16.

There are endless arguments for and against euthanasia and everything that it may bring with it. In some countries around the world there is strong support for people having the right to choose when they die. Currently it is possible to wilfully end your life with the aid of a medical practitioner in Switzerland, Belgium, The Netherlands and Oregon in the USA.Rather obviously there is the argument that it devalues life and that it would be irresponsible to attribute to health care professionals the role of god in deciding who does and does not live. There is clearly a “slippery slope” argument attached to any opposition to the right to choose when to die.

The Netherlands poses the greatest example of a country that allows both Euthanasia and the right to die. It does so with strict procedural safe guards leaving the system open to very little abuse from either family members or doctors. On average GP’s in The Netherlands assist around one individual to end their life every one and a half years. The United Kingdom has obvious grounds for concern when we analyse past practices of men such as Harold Shipman who routinely murdered patients of his. GP’s throughout the UK oppose the steps towards legalising assisted suicide and euthanasia due to the increased burden and strain it will place on the health service.

Many of us may already have experienced the death of someone close to us, and will have already formed a strong view on whether or not people should have the right to die or whether or not Euthanasia should be legalised. That opinion may be formed on social, political or economic grounds and may be in support or against the right to choose when to die. But why should people not have the right to choose when they die? Already this is creating an illegal underground industry in the UK where desperate individuals are driven to drastic lengths to end their own lives so those around them will not be prosecuted for assisting them. Suicide is, in itself, not a criminal act in the UK. Over the coming years the infirm elderly and death will undeniably become an economic burden on society. Many will wish to die peacefully and with dignity; an option considered by many as reason enough to allow individuals to end their own lives.

Currently many individuals have been driven from the UK to Switzerland to an organisation called Dignitas where they are allowed to end their lives peacefully andlegally under Swiss law. This growth in suicide “tourism” has prompted a much needed discussion in this area as to whether or not the law can develop alongside social trends to ensure that it refects the modern social desires.

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