UK woman fights for right to die

LONDON, England -- A terminally ill British woman is beginning a landmark legal battle for the right to end her own life.

Diane Pretty, 42, suffers from the incurable degenerative disorder motor neurone disease.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), David Calvert-Smith, told Pretty last week he could not guarantee her husband of 25 years, Brian, would not face criminal prosecution if he helped her to die.

Pretty, who says her condition has impaired the quality of her life, plans to challenge the DPP's decision at the High Court, arguing the government is subjecting her to inhuman and degrading treatment, breaching the Human Rights Act.

The Voluntary Euthanasia Society and civil rights group Liberty are backing her decision, saying she is "entirely clear about her decision" but is "physically unable to take her own life without assistance."

The mother of two was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 1999 and her condition has since deteriorated rapidly, leaving her virtually unable to do anything for herself.

The couple's children, Clara, 24, and Brian, 22, also support their mother's decision.

Blair urged to help

Her husband told The Guardian newspaper in an interview last month: "When she stuck to her guns, I realised it was not just depression speaking and she was taken off the medication. She has never wavered.

"If Diane were physically able, then she would take her own life. But clearly she has no power in her hands or arms and is unable to pick anything up.

"I dearly love my wife and I would swap places with her without hesitation but I have to respect her wishes and now I have come to terms with them. But we both want to abide by the law.

"As the law stands at the moment, if I assisted my wife to do what she wants to do, I would be put in prison."

In June, Pretty wrote to British Prime Minister Tony Blair begging him to change the law on voluntary euthanasia.

Last month, Liberty asked the DPP to guarantee her husband would not be prosecuted for aiding and abetting a suicide under Section 2 of the 1961 Suicide Act if he tried to help her.

Although Calvert-Smith conceded Pretty and her family were having to endure "terrible suffering," he refused to offer such a guarantee.

Liberty will challenge the way the DPP has applied the Suicide Act to the case.