The issue of euthanasia invokes passionate feelings from both sides of the argument. These two high profile women can not only talk about it from a political perspective, but from a deeply personal one too.
Jane Campbell, Baroness Campbell of Surbiton is a member of the House of Lords who suffers from spinal muscular atrophy and campaigns fervently for disability rights. Although she herself has a terminal illness she is strongly opposed to the legalisation of euthanasia.
Here she talks candidly about her objections to legalising assisted suicide.
"I do not hold a moral, religious or ethical position on the right to live or die. Like many other disabled people who live close to death, my perspective is purely practical."
Asked what she says to those people who want to see assisted suicide legalised Lady Campbell puts forward her opinion:
Lady Campbell gives her views on the proposed amendment to the Coroners and Justice Bill:
“What the Lords are trying to do, they’re trying to bring about a bill that they think will help people like me who have terminal illnesses and what we are saying is not in our name. There may be one or two in favour but there are hundreds of others who fear it.”
Listen below for more
Margo MacDonald is a member of the Scottish Parliament who suffers from Parkinson's disease. She is pro- euthanasia and is currently trying to get it legalised in Scotland.
"My Parkinson's diagnosis may have sharpened my insight but it certainly isn't what motivates me."
"I have a degenerative condition. I would like to have the right to determine by how much my capacity to fulfil my social, familial and personal functions will be truncated.
I would like the ability to take that decision. I do not want to burden any doctor, friend or family member; I want to find a way in which I can take the decision to end my life in the event that I am unlucky enough to have the worst form of Parkinson's near the end of my life.
Palliative care is not as effective in all cases as everyone wants it to be. I am mindful of that. I may be one of the unlucky ones."
(Some quotes taken from a debate in the Scottish parliament with permission from Margo Macdonald MSP)