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The House of Lords has ruled in favour of Debbie Purdy, 46, suffering from progressive multiple sclerosis who sought confirmation that, under the terms of the European Convention on Human Rights, she had the right to choose how she died. The court also ordered that the Director of Public Prosecutions must prepare a policy covering cases where a spouse or partner travelled abroad to assist people with terminal illnesses to end their own lives.
The Law Lords decision will doubtless spark endless ethical and theological debate. Nonetheless, my view is that when someone has a painful terminal illness, they must be allowed - with the proper safeguards - to make their own decision about painlessly ending their physical and mental suffering.
Mrs Purdy may travel to Switzerland to end her life in a clinic where she will take a lethal dose of barbiturates prescribed by doctors at the controversial Dignitas organisation. Such a step requires enormous bravery and our hearts must go out to her and her family.
But the case raises the question as to why anyone should be forced to go to the expense of travelling abroad to put an end to their suffering when a similar compassionate service could be arranged in this country.
Certainly a debate on the issue is welcome, but the debate should include discussion as to what similar facilities could be provided in Britain.
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The House of Lords has ruled in favour of Debbie Purdy, 46, suffering from progressive multiple sclerosis who sought confirmation that, under the terms of the European Convention on Human Rights, she had the right to choose how she died. The court also ordered that the Director of Public Prosecutions must prepare a policy covering cases where a spouse or partner travelled abroad to assist people with terminal illnesses to end their own lives.
The Law Lords decision will doubtless spark endless ethical and theological debate. Nonetheless, my view is that when someone has a painful terminal illness, they must be allowed - with the proper safeguards - to make their own decision about painlessly ending their physical and mental suffering.
Mrs Purdy may travel to Switzerland to end her life in a clinic where she will take a lethal dose of barbiturates prescribed by doctors at the controversial Dignitas organisation. Such a step requires enormous bravery and our hearts must go out to her and her family.
But the case raises the question as to why anyone should be forced to go to the expense of travelling abroad to put an end to their suffering when a similar compassionate service could be arranged in this country.
Certainly a debate on the issue is welcome, but the debate should include discussion as to what similar facilities could be provided in Britain.
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