Firstly let's look at the law regarding the topic:
The 1961 Suicide Act makes it an offence to encourage or assist a suicide or a suicide attempt in England and Wales. Anyone breaking this law could serve 14 years in prison.
There is no specific law on assisted suicide in Scotland, creating some uncertainty although in theory someone could be prosecuted under homicide legislation.
To date, more than 100 UK citizens have travelled to Dignitas in Switzerland to end their lives.
Although some cases have been considered by the DPP, no relative has yet been prosecuted.
Sept 11
An assisted suicide machine is being auctioned later this month in the US, alongside the personal possessions of Dr. Kevorkian. 2 different machines has been used to help end the lives of 130 people; 'the death machine, where users pressed a button to inject themselves with lethal drugs and the 'mercy machine' which used a gas mask attached to CO canister. In 1999 he was convicted of second degree murder and served 8 years in prison and was famously known for saying 'dying isn't a crime'. A film on Kevorkian's life was broadcasted on television in the States last year. I am currently trying to find a copy of the film.
(http://www.5newsonline.com/news/sns-rt-us-usa-kevorkian-auctiontre79a4rp-20111011,0,6641049.story?track=rss)
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