The images of Mr Nicklinson in despair at being denied the right to die by judges in London, followed by his death a few days after that controversial ruling, has now prompted further support for a new bill on assisted suicide in Scotland.
Margo MacDonald, the veteran Nationalist and independent MSP who has Parkinson's, brought forward an assisted suicide bill in the last Parliament which was defeated, but she has made clear her determination to introduce improved legislation in this term.
She has lodged her new proposal for a Bill on Assisted Suicide, having collected the 18 MSP signatures necessary to move forward to the preparation of a bill.
Ms MacDonald said: "Possibly due to the recent sad and shocking coverage of how Tony Nicklinson died, MSPs have a better awareness of the issue.
"I found more MSPs than last time considering giving support to my bill. Also, like last time, a couple of the MSPs signed to take the bill to Stage 1, not because they had already made up their minds on the issue, but because they judged it should be debated given the level of public interest."
As with the previous attempt to introduced legislation north of the Border, opposition to the fresh proposals is expected to be strong.
The Reverend Sally Foster-Fulton, convener of the Kirk's Church and Society Council, said: "We believe that proposals which seek to remove the societal prohibition on killing would have a profound effect on all of us, not just the ones seeking a change in the law.
"We are convinced they undermine the inherent value of life crucial to civilised society.
"The Church of Scotland is very concerned about the impact that legislation allowing assisted suicide might have on the most vulnerable in our midst and the way society views them. We urge a broadening of the provision of care for those approaching the end of their lives."
A spokesman for the Catholic Church was critical of the latest development, saying: "Parliament has given a lot of time to this issue. The problem is that when you decide that society will deliberately end someone's life, that's too dangerous and puts vulnerable people at risk."
However, Steve Chinn, general secretary of the Scottish Humanists, said: "We stand very firmly in support of Margo. We don't doubt that it gains support every time there is a case like Tony Nicklinson, but the issue is bigger and longer term than such individual cases.
"We see it as an issue of basic humanity and human rights. Opponents argue the slippery slope position, but in places around the world such as Oregon there is no evidence of that, and Margo MacDonald has been very careful to build in safeguards to her bill."
Ms MacDonald said: "I believe the bill will benefit from the developments in understanding assisted death, due in large part to legal challenges in England.
"The consultation process has been successful in providing even more information about the reality of the end of life experience."
