On December 1, 2010 Margo MacDonald’s end of life assistance bill was rejected by the Scottish Parliament. Despite the fact that key measures were included for strict monitoring and interpretation, Parliament feared the bill would cause an increase in suicidal tourism. The bill would have allowed individuals over 16 years of age with a progressive degenerative condition, a trauma, or terminal illness to end their life with the help of a recognized medical practitioner. Each candidate for the procedure would have been required to meet certain standards, and their death would have been closely supervised. Committing suicide in Scotland is not illegal however assisting someone could result in prosecution. MacDonald is a seasoned politician who was diagnosed with Parkinson disease in 2002. She thought, “it was important to allow terminally ill people some dignity.”
Sources: n.a. (2010, Dec 1). “Margo MacDonald’s End of Life Assistance Bill rejected,” BBC News http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-11876821
n.a. (2010, Nov 18). “Holyrood Committee Rejects Right to Die Bill” BBC News http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-11781981
Background Source:
n.a. (2008 Oct 30)“MSP to Launch ‘Right to Die’ Bill” BBCNews, October 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/7700814.stm
Student Researchers: Nichole Kelder & Sarah Vine
Faculty Evaluator: Karen Wilson, Department of English and Communication, SUNY Potsdam
photo from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-11781981