SIR,—While I appreciate the letters of Dr. A. J. Hawes
and Dr. W. Annandale Troup on the above subject, may I respectfully suggest that neither of them deals with the question at issue; viz.:—"The right to die." Dr. Hawes objects to my suggestion that, if and when euthanasia is made legal, qualified medical practitioners should be asked to carry it out. It should not be compulsory upon any medical practitioner to carry it out if he objects to so doing, so let us substitute' the phrase
qualified person approved by the Ministry of Health." I am not concerned as to who performs the operation, provided it is made legal and is carried out by someone qualified to administer it.
With regard to Dr. W. Annandale Troup's surprise that I should have consulted a leading clergyman rather than the leaders of the medical profession, my question was whether euthanasia was morally wrong, and I am unaware that the medical profession is a safer arbiter of morals than the clergy. The case quoted by the doctor in no way affects my argument in favour of euthanasia for those who conscientiously desire it, if they come to a time in their lives when they are convinced that they are useless to themselves and to others and that to live on is only an intolerable burden. I am not arguing that, because a doctor may think a case is incurable, therefore a certificate authorising euthanasia should of necessity be issued. It is entirely a matter of the free-will of the persons concerned ; that they should have the right to die if they so wish, and
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