I’ve experienced both sides of this deeply personal and emotional debate.

On one hand, I watched an elderly relative who didn’t want to die, but whose care in hospital felt unsupportive. They aren't fed or supported in the way we so instinctively care for babies — and it felt, at times, like that neglect quietly hastened their decline. It raised difficult questions for me about how we treat older people near the end of life.

On the other hand, I also had a relative who died of pancreatic cancer. The pain was unbearable, and at times we found ourselves hoping for a heart attack — anything to end the suffering more swiftly. That experience made me understand why some people feel that assisted dying, when someone is terminally ill, could be the kinder option.

So I have mixed feelings. I can see both perspectives. But if the right safeguards are in place — to protect the vulnerable, ensure informed consent, and prevent abuse — then I’m more likely to support assisted dying as an option for those who are suffering.

This isn’t a black-and-white issue. It’s a grey area full of personal pain, ethical complexity, and moral weight. But I believe we should keep asking these difficult questions and more importantly, listening to each other with compassion.