Letter: Choosing to die

Sir: You state (leading article, 27 March) that legislation to permit euthanasia in Britain should have guidelines to protect older people (why only older) from the pressure of relatives. And yet you go on to say that the co-operation and approval of the family are essential. The latter may surely lead to the former.

You say, "We must allow people to die", presumably meaning by "voluntary" euthanasia, and yet you go on to support (albeit with "safeguards") involuntary euthanasia. You say it is impossible to make an objective judgement about another person's quality of life and yet appear to support the ending of it.

Your leader is contradictory, dangerous and immoral.

PHILIP J S CROME

Harrow, Middlesex