Intelligence Squared

Voluntary euthanasia, or physician-assisted suicide is legal in the US state of Oregon, Belgium, the Netherlands and Switzerland, and more than 90 British citizens have taken advantage of Swiss laws that allow them to die with help from doctors and nurses at the Dignitas clinic in Zurich. But in Britain, the 1961 Suicide Act states that while suicide is not illegal, "a person who aids, abets, counsels or procures the suicide of another, or an attempt by another to commit suicide, shall be liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years".

Debbie Purdy, a woman from Bradford who suffers from multiple sclerosis, has led a high-profile campaign to change the law. She took on the Director of Public Prosecutions in the High Courts, seeking clarification that her husband wouldn't be prosecuted if he helped her to travel to Dignitas. But despite her best efforts, the realities of ever-ageing politicians and public support, so far politicians have been squeamish about changing the law.

Many of our audience were swayed into changing their mind over the course of this debate. Will you be?

Speaking for the motion - Emily Jackson, Debbie Purdy and Mary Warnock

Speaking against the motion - Alex Carlile QC, Richard Harries and Patrick Stone

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