By Bill Heaney
Scottish Liberal Democrat Liam McArthur MSP has today (Tuesday 18th March) welcomed the latest British Social Attitudes Survey published by the National Centre for Social Research which found that 79% of the British public are in favour of assisted dying.
The findings come just days after the Royal College of General Practitioners voted to drop its opposition to assisted dying, which Mr McArthur hailed as a ‘watershed moment in the assisted dying debate’.
Mr McArthur, left, said: “The findings of the British Social Attitude Survey show a continuous and solid majority of public support for a compassionate assisted dying law.
“Taken alongside other polling data, which shows that the majority of voters in every constituency in the country back a change in the law on assisted dying, it sends a clear message to my parliamentary colleagues that the public are strongly behind a safe and compassionate law.
“My bill would allow terminally ill, mentally competent adults only the choice of an assisted death here in Scotland. It puts in place the compassion lacking in our current law as well as a range of safety measures similar to those which have been safely and successfully introduced in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and the United States where assisted dying continues to enjoy strong public support.
“As we move towards a vote on my proposals, it is vital that the voices of dying Scots are at the centre of the debate. I have spoken to countless people across the country about the harrowing deaths they have witnessed and to dying people facing a series of horrible decisions. All agree that what we need at the end of life is excellent care and more choice.”
The Catholic Church is strongly opposed to any form of euthanasia and assisted suicide. The Church regards life as sacred and inviolable. Physician-assisted death is a “grave sin” and contradicts the teachings of the Catholic church. Death by assisted suicide and euthanasia are grave violations of the law of God. The Church believes that direct euthanasia, which consists in putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick, or dying persons, is morally unacceptable.
A Church of Scotland spoksperson said: “The experience of Church of Scotland Parish ministers in accompanying people in the final stages of their life and their support for grieving families and friends provides an important insight into issues around living and dying well.
“Our experiences also emphasise the role of community and interpersonal relationships; instead of an individualistic approach to personal autonomy (“it’s my life and I can choose how and when to end it”) the interdependence of community life is more important.
“Permitting assisted dying has implications for a range of people, including those living with disability or impairment, or those who may feel they are a burden on family, friends or the state. A change which would allow greater personal choice for an individual will have far reaching repercussions for some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
“Our understanding of human life is that it is a gift from God, and that all people are made in God’s image. There is a very special value and dignity for every life, which is not dependent on the quality of experience of a particular life. Permitting assisted suicide would contradict our important belief in the sanctity of life.”