Renowned broadcaster Dame Esther Rantzen, 83, has revealed that she has joined the Dignitas assisted dying clinic in Switzerland. Speaking on Radio 4’s The Today podcast, she shared that she is currently undergoing a “miracle” treatment for stage four lung cancer. However, if the treatment is unsuccessful, she expressed openness to the option of assisted dying at Dignitas, where it is legal.
Assisted suicide is prohibited in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, with potential imprisonment for those involved. In Scotland, there is no specific assisted suicide offense, but euthanasia is illegal and could lead to charges of murder or manslaughter.
Dignitas is a not-for-profit organization in Switzerland that provides physician-assisted dying to relieve suffering for individuals with terminal illnesses.
Dame Esther explained that part of her decision is driven by the desire for her family’s last memories of her not to be “painful.” She emphasized that watching a loved one experience a distressing death could overshadow happy times. However, she acknowledged the legal complexities for her family and friends if she opts for assisted dying at Dignitas.
Currently, the UK is undergoing discussions on the topic of assisted dying. The Health and Social Care Committee is set to publish its report on assisted dying and assisted suicide in England and Wales. The committee’s inquiry, initiated in December 2022, aims to explore different perspectives in the debate.
Dame Esther, known for presenting the BBC show “That’s Life!” for 21 years and launching the charity ChildLine, advocates for a free vote on assisted dying. She believes that the law should align with public sentiment and that individuals should have the choice of how and when they want to end their lives.
The debate around assisted dying involves campaigners emphasizing the need for greater control over end-of-life decisions for those with terminal illnesses, while opponents argue that a change in the law poses risks to vulnerable individuals.
Having lived almost a year with cancer, Dame Esther expressed gratitude for unexpected additional time, mentioning that she did not expect to reach her birthday in June or celebrate Christmas. She sees this Christmas as “precious” and an unexpected gift. Source thedailycourierng news