BRISTIH COLUMBIA. - After 20 years of an existing ban on physician-assisted suicides, the Supreme Court of British Columbia ruled the law unconstitutional. Judge Lynn Smith ruled the ban the prohibited assisted-suicide or mercy killing was discriminatory as it "unjustifiably infringe the equality rights" of the plaintiffs in the case, according to the Associated Foreign Press.
The law was brought into question by the case of Gloria Taylor. Taylor a 65-year-old woman suffers from Lou Gehrig's disease, which is a debilitating neurological disorder, in which the patient loses all control over their body. Taylor raised questions about the ban because she wanted to have the option of assisted-suicide, as her conditions worsens. She is one of the five plaintiffs who were looking to over turn the legislation.
Judge Smith said in a statement that terminally ill patients who are of sound mind and not subjected to any form of coercion should be giving the right to decide how long they wish to suffer and when to end their life.
He further told the Associated Foreign Press, "the impact of that distinction is felt particularly acutely by persons such as Ms. Taylor, who are grievously and irremediably ill, physically disabled or soon to become so, mentally competent and who wish to have some control over their circumstances at the end of their lives."
The law has been suspended for a 12-month period, giving lawmakers time to draft a new legislation. The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition is expected to appeal the court's decision.
