MSP wants right to end her own life
Parkinson's sufferer Margo MacDonald argues for pro-choice decision
The independent MSP Margo MacDonald has called for changes in the law to allow her the legal right to end her life.
The Lothian MSP, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, told the Scottish Parliament yesterday that she wanted to be able to end her life if her condition worsened significantly.
Ms MacDonald was speaking during a debate on patient choice in terminal illness. She said she did not want to burden doctors, family members or friends with the decision and that pain relief for those suffering from terminal illnesses often was not effective. She urged MSPs to change the law, pointing out that many people had less time than she had and that people ought to be able to make the decision while of sound mind.
Liberal Democrat MSP Jeremy Purvis called the debate in parliament. In his view, the law should be changed to allow terminally ill people to ask for help to die.
The debate concluded without a vote. Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said the Scottish Government would publish a report on end of life care before the end of this year. She added that at this stage, the government had no plans to change the law, though it was open to any parliamentary committee to examine the issue in more detail if it wished to do so.
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