The Right to Die
Sta,--Mr. Cyril Bavin makes an eloquent plea that old people, who• feel That their useful life is over and that they are becoming a burden to others, should be allowed to die if they wish to do so. Many will agree with Mr. Bavin that a strong case can be made out for such a proposi- tion. It may well be argued that the right to die, under certain circum- stances, should be regarded as one df the inherent human rights, the governing consideration being that such a step must not be contrary to the interests of the community as a whole. In view of the greatly increasing proportion of old people in the population, the recognition of such a right would probably be of real benefit to the community.
But a much strongef case can be made out for allowing those who are already dying and in great pain to be allowed to anticipate death if they so desire, and to substitute a quick and painless death (voluntary euthanasia) for a lingering and gainful one. This is what the Voluntary Euthanasia Legalisation Society advocates and is working for, and this is all that is provided for in the society's Bill, which it is hoped to re- introduce into Parliament at an early opportunity. When this much needed reform (the legalisation of voluntary euthanasia) has been achieved, when the Act has come into force and has come to be recognised as a very real boon to suffering humanity, it may be that it will then be thought desirable to extend its scope to include persons who have reached a certain age and are suffering from incipient senility, and who may wish to pass on. IA that is a matter for the future.
May I add one other thought. It does seem utterly unreasonable that worthy people who think that their religious scruples would never permit them to take advantage of such an Act should strive to prevent others, sincerely religious but who have no such scruples, from obtaining this right. There is an odd proverb about a dog in a manger.—Yours faith- Hop, Sec., V.oluntary Euthanasia Legalisation Society.
Leicester,'
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