 The bill would allow patients to administer their own lethal injection |
A bill to allow terminally ill patients to administer their own lethal dose of medicine has been presented to the Scottish Parliament. The Physician Assisted Suicide Bill is being proposed by the Liberal Democrat MSP Jeremy Purvis.
He believes it will allow people with less than six months to live to die with dignity.
Mr Purvis wants them to be given the option of asking their doctor for a suitable medicine to end their life.
Merciful option
He claims it cannot be classed as euthanasia because the patient administers the fatal dose themselves.
Mr Purvis sees it as merciful way out for those who are suffering from terminal illnesses.
The bill is due to face fierce opposition from the Catholic Church.
A similar law was introduced in Oregon in the US in 1997 where medics are required to register the request with the authorities to check there is no impropriety involved.
Last year 67 requests were received by the state's authorities and 42 were granted.
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