I was moved, and perhaps many others were, by the powerful contribution made by Colette Douglas Home to the emotive and controversial subject of assisted suicide ("We should be mature about when to leave the world", The Herald, September 30).

Developments in medicine have obviously enhanced the capability to extend the lives of those whose physical and mental attributes cannot be effectively maintained and, at the same time, their profoundly debilitating pain cannot be eradicated.

I believe that it is a strong argument that people have a moral right to treat their lives as they deem appropriate provided they do not hurt or damage others.

The problem becomes acute when situations arise in which there are those physically unable to end their own lives. Compassion in these circumstances, some would argue, encompasses an obligation to relieve suffering. Sadly, there are times when patients become permanently unable to function with the dignity which they would wish to have available to them and they can only look forward to further pain and degeneration. In these circumstances, they may plead for their lives to end. It is difficult to imagine a more difficult situation for a family to face.

It can be readily acknowledged, of course, that there are opposing views, based on the sanctity of human life, and these should be treated with respect, such as those expressed by Dr Hamish Maclaren (Letters, October 1). No doubt, all the detailed arguments for and against will be advanced as the Assisted Suicide (Scotland) Bill makes its way through Parliament. However, I hope that the Scottish Parliament, having carefully weighed the conflicting arguments, and particularly in the absence of the cures, repairs, and improvements detailed by Dr Maclaren, arrive at the conclusion to approve the legislation.

Ian W Thomson,

38 Kirkintilloch Road, Lenzie.

Colette Douglas Home is right to be concerned about our failure to face up to death. Unfortunately, her conclusion is mistaken.

Assisted suicide can seem like a simple solution to the distress of suffering and death. In reality, it is anything but. Far from being quick and painless, assisted suicide can involve a drawn-out, agonising death. At a deeper level, it sends the message that some lives are not worth living, and makes a mockery of suicide prevention. The seemingly compassionate regime she supports could also be exploited by those less concerned about the welfare of their family members, even through a subtle pressure not to be a burden.

She notes that a survey placed support for assisted suicide at 69 per cent. A more recent survey, however, found a similar level of support initially, but when respondents were given five simple arguments against assisted suicide, support dropped to 43 per cent.

Assisted suicide does not help in dealing with death but makes things worse. Our energy would be better spent supporting initiatives such as Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief, which promote a truly mature response to our mortality.

Aidan Cook,

Scottish Campaign Officer,

Care Not Killing, Challenge House,

29 Canal Street, Glasgow.