High Court reviewing assisted suicide case

LONDON, Oct. 3 (UPI) -- A 45-year-old woman says Britain's High Court should clarify the legal definition of assisted suicide in order to allow her to undergo the procedure.

The Independent said Friday that Debbie Purdy asked the High Court to clarify the parameters of the existing British law against assisted suicide so she could potentially move forward with her efforts to obtain such a procedure.

Purdy argued that multiple sclerosis has left her unable to walk and she continues to lose strength in her upper body. Given her condition, she wants to legally attend a Swiss clinic and undergo an assisted suicide.

British law says that an act of assisted suicide is punishable by up to 15 years in prison, the Independent said.

Purdy earned a judicial review of the British law in June and is seeking a High Court ruling to determine if her husband could face criminal charges if she goes forward with the procedure.