Disabled MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy, diagnosed with idiopathic arthritis at an early age, has warned that Scots such as herself will feel pressurised into choosing assisted suicide if a new bill is passed.
Ms. Duncan-Glancy, Labour MSP in Glasgow, has been a wheelchair user since the age of five. She has slammed a proposed Scottish Assisted Dying Bill currently undergoing a consultation.
Surveying the proposed bill, Ms. Duncan-Glancy has highlighted the complete lack of a “safeguard” for the disabled, leaving them vulnerable to anti-disabled “bias or coercion”, she fears.
Noting the “do not resuscitate” (DNR) orders imposed on the disabled during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms. Duncan-Glancy cites the demonstrable bias against disabled persons, which assisted suicide would exacerbate.
“You’re looking at a backdrop of a situation in society where disabled people are so far from any kind of equality whatsoever, that there is no safeguard I believe that can be put in any bill”, Ms. Duncan-Glancy stated.
In Oregon, a majority (53.1%) of people killed by assisted suicide cited a fear of being a “burden on family, friends/caregivers” as a reason to end their lives, it was reported this year.
The consultation for the Scottish Assisted Dying Bill, sponsored by Liam McArthur MSP, concludes on 22 December. A similar bill is also being considered in England and Wales.
SPUC has mobilised to oppose such “irresponsible” attempts to “create a new standard for how we die”.
SPUC comment
A SPUC spokesperson said: “Assisted suicide opens the door to the exploitation of the vulnerable, including the disabled, as Ms. Duncan-Glancy rightly notes.
“Mr. McArthur’s bill is not compassionate. It is a death warrant for the disabled, who already experience daily discrimination, as was made clear during the response to COVID-19.
“Ms. Duncan-Glancy’s concern is justified and must be granted especial prominence and consideration.
“We must protect the vulnerable from this irresponsible bill. We must not sign what amounts to a death warrant for the disabled.”
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