THE statements made by Care Not Killing (CNK) concerning Gordon Ross's attempt to clarify his legal position regarding assisted suicide is revealing ("Anti-suicide alliance poised to oppose right-to-die case", The Herald, February 11).

Rather than repeatedly raising theoretical concerns about safe­guards, which would appear to be incapable of being answered to its satisfaction, CNK's underlying motive has become clear. It is to deny choice.

The law's impact in maintaining the intolerable suffering of some of those who are nearing the end of their lives is simply ignored, while its "powerful deterrent effect" is welcomed. Such a pitiless refusal to recognise and accept the means of bringing unendurable distress to an end is lamentable.

Tolerating the measured behaviour of others, with which we do not agree, is part of belonging to a civilised society. The endeavours of a seriously ill, yet still feisty, man to clarify the law concerning his own situation is admirable. Mr Ross deserves our support for what he is doing.

Linda Britton,

Hayston Court,

Kirkintilloch.

WHILE Alan Clayton (Letters, February 12) is entitled to his views and opposition to Gordon Ross's attempt to have the law on an assisted suicide clarified ("'I will go to our supreme court for the right to die'", The Herald February 10), I question the accuracy of the figures he quotes citing where it has "all gone wrong" elsewhere.

If people in the Netherlands are being regularly duped about the real figures and the situation is as alarming as he contends, you would think at least one investigative journalist would be on the case screaming blue murder from the rooftops. In fact, Dutch public opinion of their medical profession is very high indeed, as is their continued support for assisted suicide. Similarly, citizens of Oregon have one of the highest rates of satisfaction with their doctors and surgeons in the United States. Either a whole lot of folk are having the wool pulled over their eyes or perhaps they actually think over the issues for themselves, see how the law works and support personal choice in this matter.

Sheila Duffy,

Friends at the End,

3 Hamilton Drive,

Glasgow.

I NOTE with interest that our Scottish Parliament has now voted overwhelmingly in favour of same-sex marriage ("Tears of relief after same-sex legislation", The Herald, February 10).

We should bear in mind that more than 56% of those members of the public who were polled were in favour. Recalling that in another poll more than 70% are in favour of assisted suicide, I expect that our Holyrood parliamentarians will be hugely supportive of Margo Macdonald's bill, especially when it has such massive public backing. Perhaps a large majority of our MSPs would have to be suffering from terminal illnesses before they could be expected to do the right thing.

John Frame,

11 Lochside,

45 Drymen Road,

Bearsden.