Sir Stephen Hawking has said he would consider assisted suicide if he was 'in great pain' or felt he 'had nothing more to contribute'.
The world-renowned physicist, whose life story and struggle with motor neurone disease inspired the Oscar-winning film The Theory Of Everything, discussed the subject with Dara O Briain in a BBC One documentary which will be shown later this year.
Stephen Hawking with Dara O Briain (BBC/Rain Media Entertainment/Joseph Berry)
He told him: “To keep someone alive against their wishes is the ultimate indignity.
“I would consider assisted suicide only if I were in great pain or felt I had nothing more to contribute, but was just a burden to those around me.”
Delighted to announce the amazing documentary I've been working on "Dara O'Briain Meets Stephen Hawking" airs Mon 15th June, 22:35, BBC One!
— Keaton S (@Keaton_S) June 1, 2015
The documentary also includes interviews with Professor Hawking’s two children, Lucy and Tim, as well as his colleagues, students and close friends.
Commissioning editor Craig Hunter said: “It’s a delight to watch Dara and Stephen’s friendship develop with honesty and insight – especially as Dara is fulfilling a childhood dream meeting his hero.”
