The emotive issue of euthanasia is to receive regular airings in North Yorkshire with the launch of a new discussion group.

The Voluntary Euthanasia Society is keen to make people more aware of its work promoting a person's right to "die with dignity" and get rid of the taboos surrounding the subject.

Those behind the York-based group say growing interest among the public, and in the media, has sparked the need for a local focal point for people affected by the complex issues surrounding euthanasia.

Group spokesman Joyce Pickard said not many people are aware of an officially recognised 'living will' in which an individual can give authorisation not to be kept artificially alive if suffering from a terminal illness.

Joyce said: "We are campaigning to make legal the act of doctors, at the patients request, in helping to end life.

"But too few people know of what already exists, which is a living will.

"It says, 'if I'm suffering from an illness from which I cannot recover I don't want to be kept alive artificially'.

"Our new group will respond to any inquiries from people who are interested."

David Wright, one of the new local members, became interested in the subject after seeing his father-in-law suffer a long painful death. David, from Easingwold, said: "I got involved because of the experience with my mother and father-in-law, who suffered an awful death and thought he should have had a little more sympathetic treatment, so he suffered less pain and died with dignity."

By contrast David said he saw his mother die in a nursing home while getting more "sympathetic treatment", although not by euthanasia.

He added: "We just want to spread the word around to raise awareness among the public, because as soon as you mention the word "euthanasia" people throw their hands up in horror and say 'you can't do things like that'. They should realise that the important word here is 'voluntary'."

Further information on the new York-based Voluntary Euthanasia Society group can be obtained from Joyce Pickard on York 621179 or David Wright on 01347 821837.

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