A Shift in Political Mood
Liam McArthur, the MSP behind the latest attempt to legalize assisted dying in Scotland, believes that it will be passed. He says there has been a "real shift in the political mood" on the issue, driven by the introduction of similar laws in other countries.
Scotland has previously rejected two attempts to change the law on assisted dying. However, McArthur says that the public has consistently supported such a change. He argues that the current ban is leading to "horrible traumatic deaths" for many people at the end of their lives.
Concerns and Objections
The move to legalize assisted dying has faced opposition from faith leaders and disability campaigners. They argue that it undermines the dignity of human life and could lead to people feeling pressured to end their lives. There are also concerns that it would divert attention away from supporting those living with illness and could undermine investment in palliative care.
Conservative MSP Miles Briggs has proposed a bill to give everyone in Scotland the legal right to palliative care. He says that if the assisted dying bill is passed, it should be part of a well-resourced "palliative pathway."
The Proposed Legislation
McArthur's bill would permit medical assistance for people wishing to end their lives. It requires a diagnosis of a terminal illness by two separate doctors and a 14-day cooling-off period. After this period, a medical substance would be supplied, to be self-administered.
A Free Vote for MSPs
MSPs will be given a free vote on the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) legislation. A previous attempt to change the law was brought forward by the late independent MSP Margo MacDonald but was voted down in 2010. A subsequent attempt by Green MSP Patrick Harvey also failed in 2015.
Conclusion: A Long-Overdue Reform?
McArthur believes that his bill is a long-overdue reform that will bring Scotland in line with other countries that have legalized assisted dying. He says that the time has come for Scotland to give terminally ill people the choice to end their lives with dignity and compassion.
The debate on assisted dying is sure to be complex and controversial. However, it is a debate that needs to be had.
