A GROUP of professionals including historian and TV presenter Dan Snow have urged MSPs to allow the Assisted Suicide (Scotland) Bill to pass through stage one of the parliamentary process.

A letter containing more than 30 signatories has been sent to the Health and Sport Committee telling members they have a rare opportunity to debate "how our lives might come to an end".

The group is made up of prominent individuals from various backgrounds including medicine, philosophy, religion and science, with medical professionals including Dr Michael Irwin, former medical director of the United Nations, Sir Graeme Catto, former president of General Medical Council, and Shiona Mackie, retired Medical Director of Primary Care for NHS Lanarkshire.

Bishop Richard Holloway, former Anglican Primus of Scotland, and Professor AC Grayling, Philosopher, Sir Jonathan Miller and writer Virginia Ironside are also signatories.

The letter states: "Parliament rarely has the opportunity to consider this matter. It is important that when the chance arises to formally do so, parliamentary process does not bring such a discourse to a premature end.

"Should MSPs conclude that the Bill is insufficiently robust, or that Scotland should not adopt such a measure, the opportunity will nonetheless have been taken to debate that aspect of care at the end of life. This includes its physical, emotional and spiritual dimensions.

"That will have allowed politicians not only to shape the laws of the country but also help mould the ethos of Scottish society."

The document has been submitted to the committee in advance of a private discussion of their stage 1 report on the legislation expected to take place on Tuesday.

The Bill proposes to give people whose lives have become unbearable through a degenerative condition or terminal illness the right to seek the help of a medical professional to end their lives.

Bob Scott, a spokesman for the My Life, My Death, My Choice campaign welcomed the support from the group.

He said: "It is clear there is broad public support for some kind of change in the law regarding how an individual chooses to end their own life when suffering from a terminal or life-shortening condition.

"To have such intelligent thinkers urging MSPs to, at the very least, ensure the debate continues through Stage 1, demonstrates the broad public support for this proposal.

"We hope MSPs on the Health & Sport Committee will urge their colleagues to allow this legislation to progress through parliament, where it will be subject to reasonable amendment. That will include ensuring all possible safeguards are in place.

"Evidence from elsewhere shows that compassionate laws similar to what is being proposed here can operate successfully yet protect the vulnerable."

The proposed legislation involves a three stage process which people would have to go through before receiving assistance to die.

Medical professionals would also have to certify that the person is capable of making, communicating and understanding the decision they are taking and that they can remember the decision at a later date.

The Bill was originally brought forward by the late independent MSP Margo MacDonald, who died last year after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.

It is now being championed by Green MSP Patrick Harvie, who has said there is "substantial public support" for the legislation.

However, groups opposed to assisted suicide have described it as "unnecessary, unethical and uncontrollable".