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MSP unveils assisted suicide bill MSP unveils assisted suicide bill
(30 minutes later)
A bill aiming to give terminally ill people the right to die is to be published at the Scottish Parliament.A bill aiming to give terminally ill people the right to die is to be published at the Scottish Parliament.
Independent MSP Margo MacDonald, who has Parkinson's disease, has drawn up the bill in a bid to make it legal for someone to seek help to end their life.Independent MSP Margo MacDonald, who has Parkinson's disease, has drawn up the bill in a bid to make it legal for someone to seek help to end their life.
It is not illegal to attempt suicide in Scotland but helping someone take their own life is.It is not illegal to attempt suicide in Scotland but helping someone take their own life is.
The MSP wants terminally ill people to be able to ask willing doctors to help them die at a time of their choosing.The MSP wants terminally ill people to be able to ask willing doctors to help them die at a time of their choosing.
The Lothian MSP's End Of Life Choices (Scotland) Bill would allow people whose lives become intolerable through a progressive degenerative condition, a trauma or terminal illness to seek a doctor's help in dying.The Lothian MSP's End Of Life Choices (Scotland) Bill would allow people whose lives become intolerable through a progressive degenerative condition, a trauma or terminal illness to seek a doctor's help in dying.
It is expected to include safeguards to prevent abuses.It is expected to include safeguards to prevent abuses.
Doctors with religious or moral objections would not be obliged to help any patient to end their life.Doctors with religious or moral objections would not be obliged to help any patient to end their life.
Without a safeguarded law regulating choice over how and when we die, many people will take matters into their own hands Sarah WootonDignity in Dying
Pro-life campaigners have strongly opposed the idea.Pro-life campaigners have strongly opposed the idea.
However, Sarah Wootton, chief executive of Dignity in Dying, said the bill was an "important opportunity for a much-needed debate".
She said: "People want choice and control at the end of life. Without a safeguarded law regulating choice over how and when we die, many people will take matters into their own hands.
"This problem must be addressed, otherwise we are effectively condoning people travelling abroad to die, 'mercy killings' and suicides behind closed doors.
"We commend Margo MacDonald for reigniting this debate in Scotland, and for seeking a compassionate way forward."
It will be up to MSPs to decide whether to change the law.It will be up to MSPs to decide whether to change the law.
The government and opposition parties have confirmed that there will be a free vote to allow members a conscience vote.The government and opposition parties have confirmed that there will be a free vote to allow members a conscience vote.
In England, the Director of Public Prosecutions has indicated he is unlikely to take legal action against those who assist the suicide of friends or relatives who have a settled and informed wish to die.In England, the Director of Public Prosecutions has indicated he is unlikely to take legal action against those who assist the suicide of friends or relatives who have a settled and informed wish to die.
No such guidance has been given in Scotland but Margo MacDonald says public opinion on assisted suicide is changing.No such guidance has been given in Scotland but Margo MacDonald says public opinion on assisted suicide is changing.