Beloved British author Sir Terry Pratchett is calling on the U.K. government to legalize assisted suicide - and has offered himself up as a test case. The 61 year old, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2007, is calling on health officials in Britain to establish a tribunal system which will enable people with incurable diseases to apply for assistance in ending their lives.

As part of the annual Richard Dimbleby Lecture, set for broadcast in the U.K. on Monday (01Feb10), Pratchett says, "If I knew that I could die at any time I wanted, then suddenly every day would be as precious as a million pounds. If I knew that I could die, I would live. My life, my death, my choice. I certainly do not expect or assume that every GP or hospital practitioner would be prepared to assist death by arrangement, even in the face of overwhelming medical evidence. That is their choice. Choice is very important in this matter. But there will be some probably older, probably wiser, who will understand. It seems sensible to me that we should look to the medical profession that over the centuries has helped us to live longer and healthier lives, to help us die peacefully among our loved ones in our own home without a long stay in God's waiting room." (CL/WNWA/MJ)

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