Rational adults have a right to make informed decisions on how to die

In recent months, Lothians MSP Margo MacDonald has been commendably brave in speaking out as a politician on voluntary euthanasia/ assisted suicide.

As one who was intimately involved in the introduction of the world's first right to die law – the Rights of the Terminally Ill Act of the Northern Territory of Australia – I am well aware that regardless of a politician's support for such an issue, their eye to the next poll and fear of backlash from the church generally keeps them silent on this important issue. This is why Ms MacDonald's recent comments that she is now "horrified" by my plan to hold a meeting in Glasgow seems so out of character (your report, 4 May).

Of all people, Ms MacDonald would know that the legislative road can be a long one. She of all people knows that the passage of a bill on a contentious issue like end of life choices will be more arduous than most. And she would know – on the basis of personal experience alone – that many seriously ill and elderly people say they have scant time to wait around for a law to eventually happen. These people want to know their options now. As rational adults they feel strongly about their right to make informed decisions about their lives and deaths; decisions impossible without access to good accurate information.

What Ms MacDonald perhaps does not know is that the leading cause of suicide by elderly Scots in 2009 is hanging. This is not because hanging is a popular or desirable way to go but because rope is available, hanging works and special knowledge is not needed.

As a politician Ms MacDonald is right to be horrified, but not at my meetings. I think we can do better.

I welcome dialogue with Ms MacDonald and any other MSP who believes that the status quo is acceptable in a modern civilised country such as Scotland, and I invite Ms MacDonald to participate in such discussion at the planned public debate.

PHILIP NITSCHKE

Director, Exit International

Darwin, NT, Australia

I disagree with Rev Ian Galloway. First, I take issue with his frequent use of the emotive "(assisted) suicide". In fact, the consultative document by Margo MacDonald dated December 2008 is entitled "The Proposed End of Life (Scotland) Bill" , the aim of which is assisted dying. Maximal safeguards are included. The difference is important.

He mentions that palliative care specialists are strongly against any form of assisted dying. That is a biased constituency who find their occupation worthwhile, or at least tolerable.

Although a majority of the medical profession and the British Medical Association are opposed to assisted dying, a majority of the general population are in favour. I strongly commend and support Ms MacDonald's proposed bill and, I hope, subsequent legislation.

(DR) C I PHILLIPS

Braid Mount Crest

Edinburgh

We should all congratulate Margo MacDonald's success in persuading 17 of her MSP colleagues to join her in debating her assisted dying bill in the Scottish Parliament.

What a pity, yet again, to read another religious objector moralising on why the debate should not proceed (Focus, 30 April). Ms MacDonald, an AIS sufferer, wants to put her case for a more enlightened approach to terminal illness. What's wrong with that? She also wants the "assisting" part of the present law decriminalised. What's so wicked about that?

The Rev Ian Galloway can recite the views of an elite establishment as long as his arm to support his moral crusade but their views are not that of the mass of the population.

GEORGE B ANDERSON

Elliothill Street

Dunfermline, Fife