A warning that the tragic case of Paul Lamb who is asking the Supreme Court this week to allow a doctor to give him a legal injection to end his life, would put thousands of elderly, sick and unwanted individuals at risk of murder, has been issued by the CEO of the Christian Legal Centre, Andrea Williams.
"My compassion is entirely for Mr. Lamb whose quadriplegia leaves him in constant need of care but even such extreme personal circumstances should not undermine our current murder law for the sake of the vast number of frail and vulnerable people who could be pressured to end their lives because they feel they are a burden to others," she says.
Andrea Williams issued her warning on the first day of an expected four-day hearing where a nine-judge-panel rather than the usual five judges is sitting, symbolising the importance of the legal issues represented by a case which presents the biggest challenge yet to the UK laws governing euthanasia.
She argues that the far-reaching legal change sought by Paul Lamb would remove protection for a swathe of individuals who feel under pressure to end the financial and emotional burden they believe they have become.
"The risk is that we would create a concept of a duty to die in the minds of vulnerable people and my compassion extends from Paul Lamb to the thousands of others who would be vulnerable if his case succeeds."
She says it's worth noting that Dignity in Dying, the former Voluntary Euthanasia Society, is not backing the case because Mr. Lamb is not terminally ill and is seeking euthanasia rather than assisted suicide.
Related stories:
Supreme Court to hear crucial end of life cases
Christian Legal Centre relieved at Nicklinson and Lamb ruling but warns of anti-life tactics
Court of Appeal hears crucial end of life cases
Paralysed man continues push for “right-to-die”
Judge upholds end of life laws in Tony Nicklinson case
Tony Nicklinson’s wife permitted to appeal right-to-die ruling