Doctor should be able to help dying man commit suicide, rules South African judge

A South African High Court judge has ruled in favour of a dying man’s wish to be assisted in his suicide by a doctor. Robin Stransham-Ford, who was 65, had prostate cancer and had only a few weeks to live. He died, however, of “natural causes,” said a statement released by his family before he learnt of his court victory.

Stransham-Ford was himself a lawyer (a barrister) and had made an urgent application to court on Wednesday, helped by the lobby group Dignity SA, to ask the court to enable him to die with the help of a doctor. The application was opposed by the Department …