Assisted suicide can’t be safely legislated and can put undue strain on susceptible individuals to finish their lives, the Scottish Parliament heard this week.
Michael Veitch, from the Christian advocacy group CARE for Scotland, instructed members of Holyrood's Well being, Social Care and Sport Committee that the proposals had been “inherently harmful” and represented “crossing the Rubicon”.
The committee heard proof on Liam McArthur's Assisted Dying for Terminally Sick Adults (Scotland) Invoice, which might enable terminally unwell adults in Scotland to request the assistance of well being professionals to finish their lives.
Mr Veitch warned that the scope of the proposed laws was too broad and “shall be interpreted past his political intentions”.
He mentioned many individuals would really feel “invisible” and “inner strain” to decide on assisted suicide due to issues about funds or the state of the NHS.
He argued that MSPs ought to work to set the “gold normal” in palliative take care of all who want it in Scotland, sending a message to society that “we are going to take care of you” somewhat than “facilitating early demise with deadly medication”. . .
“Our robust case is that this invoice may have a really decisive affect on very susceptible individuals who will really feel an invisible strain to contemplate an choice that didn’t exist earlier than,” he mentioned.
Dr. Miro Griffiths, a incapacity advocate from Not Useless But UK, additionally appeared earlier than the committee this week, the place he instructed MSPs that the laws was “incompatible” with incapacity rights.
“Each life is price residing and each life ought to be supported to dwell on,” he mentioned.
Dr Griffiths cited disturbing experiences from Canada of individuals being pushed into assisted suicide as a result of they didn’t have entry to satisfactory lodging or help providers.
“So many communities that face injustice will current it as a selection, however it’s going to seem like a path they must take due to the inequalities they face,” he mentioned.
The committee will hear from the Scottish Authorities and Mr McArthur earlier than producing a stage 1 report with suggestions for parliament, which is predicted to be debated within the spring.
