This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2013/may/05/lord-melvyn-bragg-seek-assisted-death

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Lord Bragg: I would seek assisted death rather than suffer Alzheimer's Lord Bragg: I would seek assisted death rather than suffer Alzheimer's
(5 months later)
Lord Bragg has vowed to kill himself rather than suffer dementia regardless of whether assisted suicide remains illegal in the UK.Lord Bragg has vowed to kill himself rather than suffer dementia regardless of whether assisted suicide remains illegal in the UK.
The veteran 73-year-old arts critic, novelist and broadcaster was deeply affected by watching Alzheimer's take its toll on his 95-year-old mother for five years until her death last year, and said assisted suicide was an issue for people his age. "It's happening to my generation – they see what happens when people get close to death, and we're saying, 'We don't want that.'"The veteran 73-year-old arts critic, novelist and broadcaster was deeply affected by watching Alzheimer's take its toll on his 95-year-old mother for five years until her death last year, and said assisted suicide was an issue for people his age. "It's happening to my generation – they see what happens when people get close to death, and we're saying, 'We don't want that.'"
He has previously indicated that he would consider ending his life rather than face severe mental degeneration, but in an interview with the Sunday Times he confirmed his resolve to seek assistance to end his life. "Legal or illegal, I will do it," he said.He has previously indicated that he would consider ending his life rather than face severe mental degeneration, but in an interview with the Sunday Times he confirmed his resolve to seek assistance to end his life. "Legal or illegal, I will do it," he said.
After assisted dying was made legal in Switzerland and the Netherlands, scores of Britons have travelled to clinics – most notably Dignitas in Zurich which was founded in 1998 – to seek help to end their life.After assisted dying was made legal in Switzerland and the Netherlands, scores of Britons have travelled to clinics – most notably Dignitas in Zurich which was founded in 1998 – to seek help to end their life.
Bragg says that UK law must change on this issue. "We can't keep sending people to Switzerland or the Netherlands. I think we should say, given certain conditions, it's fine," he said.Bragg says that UK law must change on this issue. "We can't keep sending people to Switzerland or the Netherlands. I think we should say, given certain conditions, it's fine," he said.
In 2008 during an interview with broadcaster and writer Clive James he said that he was considering such a move. "I would want to do it without any fuss or sensation," he said. "I don't see anything wrong with saying, 'Why don't you let me sort things out in a quiet way?' I see now, because of the circumstances in my own family, a lot of extraordinary old people who are in a terrible state. It's quite right that they should be living but, frankly, I really do not want to go there."In 2008 during an interview with broadcaster and writer Clive James he said that he was considering such a move. "I would want to do it without any fuss or sensation," he said. "I don't see anything wrong with saying, 'Why don't you let me sort things out in a quiet way?' I see now, because of the circumstances in my own family, a lot of extraordinary old people who are in a terrible state. It's quite right that they should be living but, frankly, I really do not want to go there."
Ahead of the publication this month of his most recent autobiographical novel, Grace and Mary, Bragg told the Sunday Times he had made up his mind. When he reaches 80 he will ask close friends to watch out for signs of dementia before it sets in and then arrange to end his life.Ahead of the publication this month of his most recent autobiographical novel, Grace and Mary, Bragg told the Sunday Times he had made up his mind. When he reaches 80 he will ask close friends to watch out for signs of dementia before it sets in and then arrange to end his life.
In 2011 author, Sir Terry Pratchett, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2008 said he had started the formal process that may lead to his own assisted death at the Dignitas clinic.In 2011 author, Sir Terry Pratchett, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2008 said he had started the formal process that may lead to his own assisted death at the Dignitas clinic.
Earlier this week a YouGov poll of 4,437 religious people in the Britain found that 70% backed a changed in the law to support assisted dying.Earlier this week a YouGov poll of 4,437 religious people in the Britain found that 70% backed a changed in the law to support assisted dying.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.