Michelle Bennett speaks publicly for the first time about her husband's Paul's death last year. Paul Bennett from Morriston was the first person from Wales to end his life at the Dignitas clinic in May last year, but he's one of a growing number from the UK to go there. 77 British people have now died at the Swiss clinic and last year the figure was double that of 2005.

Paul had Motor Neurone Disease which left him almost paralysed and in constant pain. "He was terrified that he was going to choke to death. He was more afraid of living than dying" explains Michelle. She says Paul had no doubts about his decision but would have preferred to die at home in Swansea.

When Michelle and her family returned to Wales they faced questions from police about Paul's death, but the case was dropped. Michelle is now calling for the law on assisted dying to change. "People are going to continue to do this", she says. "We are pushing them to another country to get the peaceful end they need. The families suffer too, and we suffer when we come back. It just doesn't all stop there."

In January, the British Social Attitudes survey found that 80% of those asked would support legalisation of assisted dying. But recent attempts to change the law have been unsuccessful and the Royal College of Nursing and British Medical Association remain opposed to euthanasia and assisted suicide.

"The majority of the BMA at their conference certainly felt it would be wrong for us to go down that road," explains Dr Tony Calland, chair of the BMA Medical Ethics committee. "Doctors have always worked in a patient's best interests and we believe that bringing about someone's death deliberately is a significant step away from the best interest position that we have followed."

Doctors are gearing up for a new law which has put the issue back in the spotlight. From October, the Mental Capacity Act will allow people to make a legally binding 'living will' to refuse medication, artificial food and fluid - even if they will die as a result. Doctors who refuse to carry out a patient's wishes could face prosecution. Some Welsh doctors say it's a step towards euthanasia.

"What concerns me is that the major proponents of living wills are the pro-euthanasia groups," said Dr Sarah Gwynne, a Swansea based registrar in Oncology. "They see this as the start of patients being able to demand what their doctors do for them. When we get into the realm of food and fluids we are getting into the area where those boundaries start to blur."

Stuart Hignell from Llantiwit Major has lived with a slow progressing form of Motor Neurone Disease for more than ten years. He has written a living will, in case he loses the ability to communicate his wishes to doctors in future. It spells out the treatment he'd like to receive. "I don't want to die, like everybody else, I want to live forever", he explains. "I've stated I do not want any medication or medical machines withdrawn from me at any time. In other words, I want treatment to continue until I breathe my last breath."

But the Mental Capacity Act won't guarantee that happens. Stuart's consultant, Dr Sandip Raha, explains, "The patient can actually refuse different procedures but in terms of demanding treatment, that is dependent on the particular situation and the clinician's decision at that time. Obviously, a patient's wishes are taken into account but if it is going to be a fruitless intervention or unnecessary treatment then the clinician will decide differently."