A proposed law change on assisted dying in Scotland, spearheaded by Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur, is undergoing revisions. Initially, the proposal included allowing 16-year-olds to end their lives with medical assistance. However, after careful consideration, McArthur has decided to amend the minimum age to 18, aligning with legislation in countries such as the US, Australia, and New Zealand. The bill is set to be voted on by MSPs at Holyrood on May 13.
Reflecting on evidence presented to the health committee and studying assisted dying laws in other nations, McArthur made the decision to raise the minimum age for eligibility. He highlighted that countries like the US, Australia, and New Zealand have set the age at 18 for terminally ill adults seeking an assisted death. Expressing the belief that this adjustment would be most appropriate for Scotland, McArthur urged fellow MSPs to support the bill, aiming to establish a compassionate and safe law for the country.
In contrast, First Minister John Swinney had previously not reached a final decision on the issue, emphasizing the significance of the proposed age threshold of 16. Swinney acknowledged that this particular aspect would be a challenging point for MSPs to deliberate on. Notably, MPs in England and Wales had voted in favor of a similar bill permitting assisted dying, signaling potential shifts in legislation across the UK. As the discussion around assisted dying continues, the Scottish parliament faces a pivotal decision on the matter in the upcoming vote
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
