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The private member's Bill to legalise euthanasia will have its second reading in the House of Lords this Friday - 12th May 2006.

The bill will be debated for the second time before progressing to committee stage, and a third reading - if successful. It would then probably be read in the House of Commons before gaining royal assent and becoming Law.

If it is passed it will enable patients to receive medical assistance to die. The Bill has been written by Lord Joffe.

It was revised in October 2005 to advocate assisted death, whereby a doctor can prepare a lethal dose of medication which the patient can administer themselves.

Lord Joffe, a former human rights lawyer believes that 'it is a human right to make a decision in relation not only to how you run your life, but how and when you die'.

He hopes that the Bill will prevent unnecessary suffering, particularly for those who suffer painful deaths.

The controversial Bill has sparked intense debate.

Pro-life individuals and organisations, including Church leaders and charities, objecting on moral and ethical grounds.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams says that life is a gift from God, and should not be treated as 'a possession of our own to keep or throw away'.

Pro-life charities, including Life see the Bill as an unwelcome move towards fully legalised euthanasia. They argue that euthanasia is unnecessary and potentially dangerous, taking away the safeguards that protect thevulnerable people in society.

One commentator has expressed concern that if passed, the Bill will loosen regulations governing doctors to the detriment of patient safety, and goes as far as to suggest that it may even potentially pave the way for another Shipman.

In July 2005 the British Medical Association dropped its long-held opposition to assisted dying, voting at its annual conference to adopt a neutral stance on the issue.

Health minister Lord Warner told peers in October that the bill raised 'profound and complex ethical questions'.

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