Terminally-ill cancer patient, Peter Chesterfield, has re-opened the debate on current euthanasia laws in this country (The Argus, November 20).

As the law stands, euthanasia is illegal in this country. As a result, Peter has vowed to hire a hitman if he is not allowed to die with dignity.

He has only been given between two and 12 weeks to live, is bed-ridden and in great pain.

He is taking pain-killing drugs and has suffered with ME for 12 years. Peter is desperate for someone to help him die with dignity but has been told it is against the law for anyone to help him.

He has the support of doctors and nurses but they are not permitted to carry out his wishes.

Peter will now spend the rest of his days campaigning for the law to be changed. He would die on camera if he had to.

There are great ethical and moral issues here.

Any "helper" may be left after the event with a feeling of guilt and questioning whether their action was the right thing to do. But it would be too late and they would have to live with this for rest of their life.

Trouble would also be caused within families if all did not agree with the action taken.

Peter's situation is very sad but the law should not be changed.

-Steve Fuller, Hove