Euthanasia Articles
"The law has taken my rights away" Diane Pretty
One of the UK's most famous euthanasia court cases was Diane Pretty's fight to allow her husband to assist her in suicide. Mrs Pretty was 43 years old and in an advanced stage of motors neurone disease. She wanted to choose then she died rather than choke on her food or asphyxiate, her condition meant that both of these situations happened often. Her mental state was perfectly normal yet physically she needed 24 hour care, meaning that she was unable to commit suicide herself and needed the aide of somebody else, stating that she wanted to die quick, without pain and surrounded by her family. Mrs Pretty's attempt to change UK law over euthanasia was highlighted by the media but ultimately failed after being denied by the European Courts of Law.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/1983457.stm
The Independant also highlights how a 'Mrs B' had the same condition as Diane Pretty but was allow her right to die.
Scotland has recently voted against a euthanasia bill being passed, amid fears that it may attract 'suicide tourism'
http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/euthanasia-bill-soundly-defeated-in-scotland/
The impact on family and friends isn't just emotional, UK laws can't make punishments lesser for fear it would send a message out to other similar situations, can murder be warranted?
A strong fraction of people using Switzerland's Dignitas suicide clinic are British, taking advantage of the legal right to an assisted suicide within the country (as long as certain conditions are meet).
http://www.lifenews.com/2008/05/28/bio-2461/
