In a frank and personal documentary, broadcast on BBC Two 13 June 2011, author Sir Terry Pratchett considers how he might choose to end his life. Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2008, Terry wants to know whether he might be able to end his life before his disease takes over.
Travelling to the Dignitas Clinic in Switzerland, Terry witnesses first hand the procedures set out for assisted death, and confronts the point at which he would have to take the lethal drug.
The programme deals with sensitive issues and contains upsetting scenes.
First broadcast BBC Two, 9:00PM Mon, 13 Jun 2011, the programme is available via the BBC iPlayer until 9:59PM Mon, 20 Jun 2011 at www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0120dxp/Terry_Pratchett_Choosing_to_Die/.
In the Newsnight programme which followed Jeremy Paxman speaks to Terry Pratchett about his documentary, and a panel of studio guests debate the controversial issues surrounding assisted dying. Watch it again via the BBC iPlayer until 10:29PM Mon, 20 Jun 2011 at www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b012119k/Newsnight_Choosing_to_Die_Newsnight_Debate/.