CRITICS of assisted dying have been accused of “scaremongering” by Humanist campaigners.
The head of the Humanist Society, best known for providing celebrants for non-religious weddings, has called on the Scottish Government to be “brave” and back a change in the law.
LibDem MSP Liam McArthur is currently trying to bring in assisted dying, which would see health professionals help people end their own lives, in Scotland. A separate bill for the same purpose is being debated in Westminster.
McArthur’s bill will be put to a debate at Stage 1 in Holyrood next Tuesday.
Fraser Sutherland, CEO of the Humanist Society, said: “We know the Scottish public are behind assisted dying. Now we need MSPs at Holyrood to be brave.
"We have a chance on May 13 to set in motion a law change that would transform end-of-life experiences for terminally ill people experiencing or worried about a painful death. It would also bring peace and comfort to their loved ones and families.”
Critics of assisted suicide say it could result in elderly and disabled people feeling coerced or pressured into ending their lives, especially if they see themselves as a “burden” on their families.
Sutherland said: “Those who understand what this bill means know that it has never been about putting vulnerable people at risk, or denigrating the brilliant work that goes on in palliative care settings across Scotland. It is about bodily autonomy, choice, and compassion.”
The organisation shared the story of one of their employees, Joe, whose 71-year-old father, Thomas, is suffering from stage three pancreatic cancer.
In a blog post for the Humanists, Joe wrote: “Despite the best efforts of his healthcare team, no treatment or care plan has spared Thomas the suffering and indignity of these past few months.
“As an avowed humanist, my grandad believes this choice should be available for terminally ill people who want it. At the end of the day, that’s what this debate is all about. Not the choice to die, but the choice over how you die in such truly devastating circumstances.”
Sutherland added: “We hope lawmakers will do the right thing and avoid the scaremongering, for the sake of everyday Scots like Joe and his grandfather Thomas.”
Dr Gordon Macdonald, the CEO of Care Not Killing, said: “The real scaremongers are those who present a scenario in which the only option for people is to die in agony or commit suicide.
“What our MSPs need to do is not sanction state sponsored killing but invest proper resources in quality palliative care.”
Most polls show that the public are in favour of legalising assisted dying. However, Care Not Killing pointed to research by pollsters Whitestone which showed people became less supportive when pressed to consider potential consequences.
The research showed that if people believed it could lead to children aged 12 being supported to end their lives, as is the case in the Netherlands and Belgium, support falls to just 12%.
