Reginald Crew suffered motor neurone disease for four years and made his way to Switzerland on Monday, where assisted suicide is not legalised but is widely seen as a humane act.

A Swiss politician has denounced the practice of travelling abroad to be medically helped to die, fearing Switzerland will become a destination for so-called "death tourism".

With his wife by his side, 70-year-old Mr Crew planned to take a lethal barbiturate, which is not illegal as long as he drank it himself.

Mr Crew told the BBC before his death: "I don't want to go on living like this. I have had enough." Helping someone to commit suicide is illegal in Britain, despite a number of legal challenges.

What do you think about the practice? Should British laws on assisted suicide be relaxed? Is it ever justified to help someone to die?

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

Your reaction

I had to watch my father die of MND. His last words were "give me a gun so I can die". Then, 3 years later, I watched my mum die of cancer, a long painful death. She had asked my family to help her die but we never had the guts to do so. However, I feel that if a person wishes to be allowed to die on their terms then we should respect their wishes. I have a living will saying this and hope somebody listens to me and allows me to die the death of my choice. If that is against the laws of God and the state I am sorry. Maybe I am being selfish and stupid, but I thought God was a forgiving and compassionate God.
Shirlieann Chalmers, USA / Scotland

I personally believe that when one comes to a stage of no cure and quality of life starts diminishing rapidly then if one wishes to die should be allowed to do so. In the same time some other factors needs to be considered as well. Often a seriously ill person wants to die because s/he does not want to a burden to his/her carers.
Sibani Roy, North Wales. UK

The choice should be there for those who are of sound mind Georgina Lawrence, England

We make choices in our lives, whether or not to have children, whether or not to believe in God whether or not to die when the time comes should be included in that equation. It would always remain a personal decision. Euthanasia is and will always be strongly debated but the choice should be there for those who are of sound mind but know that their life will shortly be at an end. Why should we as human beings be forced to live the rest of our days in excruciating pain when we would not wish it on any much loved pet? My condolences go to Mrs Crew.
Georgina Lawrence, England

If you are deeply religious and believe that god should take you when your time has come, then why do you accept life support machines, and intravenous feeding to keep a terminally ill person alive? Surely this is not God's way. If he gave us the freedom to prolong the natural death of another person then surely he would give that person the freedom to end their misery. And if suffering is part of that faith then why do you accept pain killing drugs for those nearing the end with cancer? My thoughts are with Mrs Crew.
Colin, UK

If an Assisted suicide type of death of any sort became legal, but I personally held to my beliefs that it was wrong, and then became ill enough to be pressured by those who think it justifiable, I would be very, very worried. If it was legal by then, I guarantee I would not be left alone, people would sidle up and hint to me. They would adopt the embarrassed way of asking for organs after a death. A premeditated death is no-one's business but God's.
John Bennington, UK

No research into end of life decisions has been carried out in this country Alison ter Haar, England

Terminally ill patients should have the option of an assisted death at a time of their choosing. Who are we to say that they must continue to be treated beyond what they consider bearable? If suicide is legal and it is legal to refuse to accept treatment it should also be legal to request voluntary euthanasia. It is question of choice and dignity. Assisted dying is happening in our hospitals and nursing homes already, but with no regulation. If the law were changed the vulnerable would be protected and the competent would have choice. No research into end of life decisions has been carried out in this country - yet MPs continue to oppose the current situation, with no evidence on what is currently occurring.
Alison ter Haar, England

After watching the horrible death my father-in-law endured as he lost his battle to a rare cancer I can without a doubt say that assisted suicide should be legal. My husband and I watched as his father turned from a strong burly man into a shadow. He never asked us for help to leave that life but if he had, we wouldn't have hesitated for a moment. We have given so much of our lives to the government rules and regulations - do they deserve our deaths as well?
Lisa, USA

When it comes to killing, as in other matters in life, the motive is all-important. Killing out of genuine compassion is not a sin (crime against life). Killing out of self-interest is. Who is the ultimate judge of the motive? It is not the killer. If you kill someone simply because you cannot bear to see them suffer, is that compassion? No, it is not, it is your own lack of capacity in the face of suffering.
Laurence, England

Everybody must have the right to escape suffering or misery or loneliness Richard Webber, UK

Of course we should be allowed to exit life whenever we want. Everybody must have the right to escape suffering or misery or loneliness and should be helped to do it with dignity and freedom from pain. There should also be a robust and visible support agency for those who simply loose their way in life and need a helping hand. When the time comes, please give me a "sleeping draught".
Richard Webber, UK

Unfortunately it could never be legally acceptable to perform the task of euthanasia on a presumably suffering human being. Law relies fully on black and white philosophical principles of what is right and wrong but regrettably this is an area of human society that is weighted very much in the grey; which in turn has various shades and textures. I don't want to see anyone suffer but who can really have the right to judge who should live and who should die? Once one has considered that point, a proverbial "can of worms" presents itself.
Robert Uprichard, South Wales

We feel it necessary to stop our pets from being in pain, and let them die with dignity, yet we do not allow our own species the same luxury. I do not believe in a God therefore I see that I have every right to end my life when I see fit. However, I can appreciate that for the medical profession it is hard - they are there to save lives. Start debating the subject more and you never know, we may come up with a workable option not open to abuse!
Sandy, UK

I see that the Police are going to "investigate" the family of this man. Typical. Irrespective of the ethics of Mr Crew's suicide, the family has done nothing wrong and yet the police now intend to stamp all over their grief in their Size 12's. These are the same police that can't be bothered to chase burglars. Disgusting.
Andy Saltiel, UK

Surely stopping this enforced 'care' is allowing nature to take it's course. Joanne

Surely there is no 'assisted suicide' if the person in question is being kept alive by artificial means - whether that is drugs, ventilators or intravenous feeding. Surely stopping this enforced 'care' is allowing nature to take it's course. I would hope that, god forbid, if I was ever in a situation where I had no quality of life I would be allowed the right to die. Without medical interference. My thoughts are with Mrs Crew.
Joanne

I have two friends who go to church regularly. Both have had abortions and view the process as nothing more than a medical option, and their choice. They are vehemently opposed to legalizing assisted suicide and argue their case along all the lines brought out in this Talking Point. I have a hard time understanding society accepts the termination of life while the offended intellect is in no position to protest, yet demands the right to intervene when someone decides to leave us while they can do so in a dignified state, still resembling the person they want us to remember. I would want the option while capable of making an informed decision of my own.
Pete, Canada

Watching someone slowly dying from a disease that cannot be cured is unfair not only for the family but the victim. I believe you should have the right to die, under the right conditions, and this should not be challenged by anyone. No-one owns you. If Mr crew's case goes to court it will be an outrage. Can't someone just die in peace if it is for the better?
Jason Patrick, UK

This woman deserves some sympathy, not hassle Anthony Allen, UK

I think that the police should spend their time going after real criminals, not the widow of a man who has suffered so much and is now at peace. This woman has had so much to contend with over the last few years and deserves some sympathy, not hassle from the state.
Anthony Allen, UK

Good grief, have the police nothing better to do than to investigate the relatives of terminally ill patients. We all know that the wife of the man who committed suicide in Switzerland will not be prosecuted so why don't they use their manpower more effectively and leave the poor woman alone.
Julian Ziegler, UK

I watched my father die a very slow and painful death. I had to listen to him begging for the end to come. He did die in the end, a former shadow of himself with no dignity. I know that if I was to suffer this way I would wish to die long before my father did. I wonder just how many of these do-gooders have experienced this!
Kevin Mckinnon, Scotland

I don't feel that she has necessarily done anything wrong, but being able to do this should not become too easy Chris Beauchamp, UK

I am heartened that the police are investigating Mr Crew's wife. I don't feel that she (or they) have necessarily done anything wrong, but being able to do this should not become too easy. Taking a life is a very serious business, regardless of the circumstances, and the level of scrutiny of each incident should be maintained, otherwise how would we detect another Harold Shipman?
Chris Beauchamp, UK

Surely everyone has the right to live a dignified life - and if someone is suffering a debilitating disease which leaves them with no dignity, if they wish to end their lives they should be permitted. How on earth can the Church or the government make the decision of whether or not this course of action is right or wrong. Ultimately only the person suffering is able to make that decision.
Joanne, UK

Another example of political correctness gone mad. What on earth will be achieved from investigating his wife who has already been through enough and is absolutely no risk whatsoever to anyone else? I know it's a clich�, but why don't they try and catch and convict some dangerous criminals.
Ian, UK

This smacks of a moral crusade rather than a legal necessity John Herron, UK

Why do the police feel they need to harass the widow in this case? To say they are obliged to investigate all suspected crime is nonsense. The police regularly choose not to investigate crime where there is little chance of a prosecution. This smacks of a moral crusade rather than a legal necessity!
John Herron, UK

This surely is a matter of freedom of choice. If someone has expressed a well-thought out and reasoned wish to die, then their wishes should be respected. Surely the fact that people are finding ways around the law illustrates that the law itself is at fault. The Dutch system shows, clearly, how safeguards can be put in place to prevent abuse of such a system.
For those of you with either religious or moral objections to the practice of euthanasia I say this; no one will ever force you to undergo this procedure, but kindly do not force your beliefs on those of us who do not share them.
Chris, UK

Surely the key test is quality of life, if there is no quality of life due to illness and the patient wishes to no longer live then it should be his/her choice. After all as people have pointed out here we do the same for animals, but we decide for them! If something like this happens to me I want the right to die without the indignity of having to go to court or those who help me facing jail.
David Smith, UK

Isn't it about time we started helping people in this situation, rather than punishing the ones they leave behind JB, UK

No one owns my body, except for me. If I am suffering from a debilitating illness, I should have the right to decide when I have had enough - no one else can ever say that they have been in my shoes and experienced my life - so why should anyone (church or government) feel that they have a right to make such an important decision for me? I understand that it can be a hard thing to legislate - but isn't it about time we started helping people in this situation, rather than punishing the ones they leave behind?
JB, UK

Life is a gift from God. I believe we are all created in the image and likeness of God and have no right to end someone's life. If we have a quality or pain threshold in a life on which we base whether someone is entitled to die, we have seriously failed as human beings.
Sean O'Connor, England

As a parent of a severely handicapped son, only now I appreciate that there is substantial value and potential in people's lives. Therefore, if we allow even one step along this very dangerous path, what message does that send to any of our disabled colleagues?
Martin, UK

That this poor unfortunate man has to travel to a different country to receive the medical treatment (and yes, I consider suicide to be a medical treatment) is a horrible indictment of the outdatedness of the UK's legal position on the right to die. Where's the humanity in this charade? We should legalise assisted suicide (with suitable medically-supervised procedural safeguards) immediately.
David Moran, Scotland/Australia

It's the problem of explicit, informed consent. Legal authorities appear to be worried by creating a gap through which murderers could pass. I don't have a problem with assisted suicide but the possibility of the criminal use of the practice must be recognised.
Alastair Somerville, UK

Having seen both my parents suffer in terminal illnesses and heard them asking to put them out of their respective misery, painful as their eventual death may be, it is kinder to enable them to do so if they wish. If a pet animal was suffering as such we would not hesitate in having them put down, but to do so to human beings at their bidding is unlawful. It is time things changed.
Hazel, UK

As most people seem to believe the person should have a right to choose (as long as they are capable of making that decision) then what is the problem? All anyone wants is to be able to make their own decisions without horrible consequences!
Ricky S, UK

I believe that every living human being on the planet has been given a right to live, a right to life. It is surely therefore wrong that anyone can turn round and say that they want to end it whenever they choose. Leave nature to do its work, life can be painful and emotional and distressing, but that is what life is half about. People have to accept that however tragic, life should go on until nature decides otherwise.
Alex McNab, UK

To Mr Crew: May you walk freely and enjoy the freedom you now have. My thoughts go to your wife.
Ian Nash, UK

If euthanasia had been accepted then there wouldn't have been progress in treating illnesses Graham, England

The Netherlands has had legalised euthanasia for a while. In fact, a number of cases of euthanasia have been carried out without the patient's consent. There are many illnesses which would have been killers a century ago, but are now treatable. If euthanasia had been accepted then there wouldn't have been progress in treating illnesses, and there wouldn't have been research into cures, as the norm would be for sufferers to be killed.
Graham, England

We choose to create life, why can't we have the right to assist in ending someone's misery?
Geri, UK

There is no doubt that seeing a loved one die slowly is most certainly very unpleasant and distressing. Even more so for the person suffering. However, I still believe that the beginning and the end of life needs to be left in the hands of God. As for there being no hope, this is simply not true - ignore the church, sure; but don't ignore the fact that those who have faith in Jesus have eternal hope in heaven, without any pain or suffering.
Steve, UK

To Steve, UK. If you have religious beliefs then you have every right to live your life accordingly. But don't have the arrogance to impose them on everyone else. If I, an atheist, were ever to find myself in a position similar to Mr Crew or Mrs Pretty, I would resent having my choices limited because of the religious views of others.

As other contributors have said, if the patient in question is of sound mind, then the decision should be theirs and theirs alone and not subject to external interference, be it medical, religious, political or otherwise. It is surely not beyond the bounds of possibility that appropriate safeguards and procedures could be devised to ensure the system would not be open to abuse.
Alan, UK

So long as mental illness is not clouding issues and no pressure is being put on the individual, then surely people should be given the right to choose whether they want to end their own suffering, with professional and understanding assistance.
Dianne Khan, Newbury, UK

Apart from the obvious religious concerns, the main trouble with assisted suicide is drawing the line.
David, UK

I totally agree with assisted suicide. With new human rights laws being introduced surely the right to die should be included, and assistance should be available for those unable to carry out their wishes.
Jane, UK

I continue to be embarrassed that Diane Pretty was not given the right to assisted suicide here. I see no reason whatsoever why a reasonable and sane adult cannot decide when enough is enough and when they can no longer tolerate the mental or physical anguish of a terminal illness. It's cruel to deny them this right.
Stacey Turner, England/USA

I would book the first flight to Switzerland if I was told that I had MND Barbara Sheard, UK

My sister had Motor Neurone Disease. The first symptoms appeared when she was only 39 and six months later she suffered a respiratory failure. Following the respiratory failure, she was ventilated and survived artificially for another 2 years. Before she died she was reduced to a physical wreck, she could only move her eyes - nothing else. Her intellect was undamaged by MND and she was fully aware of what was happening to her.

My sister would have given anything to have that ventilator switched off and if we could have helped her legally - we would have done. Life is not always sweet and with MND there is no cure, no hope - just despair. My sister had Familial MND which means that there is a possibility that I or my brothers could get it. I know that I would book the first flight to Switzerland if I was told that I had MND.
Barbara Sheard, UK

I find it amazing that animals are "put out of their misery" yet humans have to endure psychological and physical torment because of do-gooders. The government is quite prepared to send very able bodied men to their deaths in Iraq, but sick frail people must live! Why?
Neill, Chile

I have watched far too many members of my family end their lives in tortured, twisted agony Ian Lowe, Scotland

How about reversing the question? Is forcing another human being to endure suffering so bad that they wish to die, simply for the sake of your own religious or moral viewpoints ever justified? I have watched far too many members of my family end their lives in tortured, twisted agony, with every shred of dignity stripped away, and it's long overdue that legislation providing for assisted suicide is enacted in this country.
Ian Lowe, Scotland, UK

I witnessed my father-in-law pass away in 1981 from MND which had been initially diagnosed in 1978. My mother passed away from stomach cancer in 1979. In both instances, assisted suicide would have been a blessing. In both instances they were being kept alive waiting for the end. The quality of life that was being "enjoyed", and I use that term very loosely, did not exist.
Graham Wetton, Qatar

If you take a cat to the vet and it is in pain and cannot be cured or terminally ill, the vet will tell you that it would be better for the animal's sake to put it down. Surely this must be analogous to humans too? We are no better than cats or dogs after all.
Ian Davidson, Scotland

The argument is that everyone has the right to live, which is very true. But surely no one has the right to make a terminally ill person suffer in agony until they pass away, causing suffering for the person, and the loved ones who have to watch them suffer. We are humane with animals, we wouldn't dare watch them suffer, why are we so different?
Lee, UK

Life is too precious to be deliberately taken away Kathy Willsea, USA

Life is too precious to be deliberately taken away. Euthanasia cheapens how we view and treat all life. If people in great pain can be killed, how long until those with disabilities or great age are deemed expendable? We already kill unwanted children in great numbers. Death is not a benefit, it is not good, we should fight it. We should fight to live, for the young, the old, for everyone. Anything less is devilish.
Kathy Willsea, USA

Assisted suicide can be a dangerous thing to legislate. A living will, describing in detail the circumstances under which a person would like to die could be used. I hope that by the time my infirmity comes that this issue will be cleared up. There is nothing dignified about dying as a shell of your former self, or about enduring agony from which there will be no respite.
Rosie Brent, Scotland

I am an English nurse who has lived and worked in Holland for 13 years, I have seen euthanasia carried out here. It was an extremely moving and dignified experience. Families should not be left to carry out something like this, the guilt is enormous. Leave it to responsible and compassionate professionals.
Jeanine Hofman, Holland

Instead of running away from this issue it is high time the powers that be faced up to it and then at least there could be some controls in place to protect against abuse of this right!!!
Jacqui, Scotland

I am ashamed I did not show her my love by ending her suffering John Lavender, England

Having recently watched my mother die slowly with cancer and knowing her views on the subject, I am ashamed I did not have the courage to show her my love by ending her suffering. She was in no physical pain thanks to the kindness and efficiency of the hospice, but she wanted to put an end to her mental anguish at seeing our distress. My mother was deeply religious, but believed she, like everyone, was not given free will.
John Lavender, England

Surely if the individual is mentally all there, the decision is for that person alone? Not for the government, and certainly not for the church. It is never easy, but a decision that society must face up to.
Greg Heywood, UK

Instead of prosecuting his wife for helping him to die, why don't we deal with the criminals who kill for the sake of killing?
Helen, England

I'm pretty sure that if I had a debilitating disease, which would slowly take away control of my bodily functions, I would rather be put out of my misery, than lead a life as a shadow of my former self.
Ross Allan, UK

Having seen the effects of multiple sclerosis first hand, similar to motor neurone disease, I believe that anybody who suffers such illnesses and is unable to use their basic functions has the right to die as and when they choose.
Julia Gillam, UK