Scottish Catholic Observer

Pro-life activists have vowed to defeat MSP Margo MacDonald again after details of her latest attempt to legalise assisted suicide revealed a desire to extend the legislation’s reach should it pass.

Ms MacDonald (above) unveiled her revamped proposals at the Scottish Parliament last Wednesday, three years after her first attempt to establish a member’s bill on the issue was roundly defeated by MSPs.

Under the re-drafted proposals, people who want to end their lives will have to register to do so and accept a ‘cooling off’ period. If they decide to go ahead, they will then have to wait another 14 days before a dose of lethal drugs is administered by a licensed ‘facilitator,’ such as a GP. The process throughout must be agreed by at least two doctors.

Aidan Cook of the campaign group Care Not Killing told the SCO the new bill would open the door to further anti-life legislation.

“In the policy memorandum accompanying the new bill, Ms MacDonald not only expects but desires an incremental extension of the legislation,” he said. “The restrictions found in this bill are simply an attempt to get it passed more easily and would be relaxed over time. This would only be the beginning.

“So what matters most is the fundamental principle that a compassionate, caring society does not kill its sick and burdensome. It is this principle that was so overwhelmingly supported by parliament just three years ago and which we must support again today.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “If this does succeed in going before the Parliament, then it is a matter of conscience and largely an issue for individual MSPs to decide.”

Ms MacDonald has Parkinson’s disease.

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