More than half of Scots would consider a medically assisted death abroad if they were terminally ill, new research has revealed.

A survey for the Humanist Society found 53% would consider travelling to countries such as Switzerland, where doctors can legally prescribe lethal medication.

A further 19% said they did not know how they would react to news of an incurable illness, meaning just 28% said they would not consider travelling abroad to end their suffering.

The Humanist Society said the results raised a moral dilemma for lawmakers, as only those who are able and can afford to travel abroad can access assisted death services.

A spokesman said the society hopes the survey can now spark a new debate on changing Scots Law.

Gordon MacRae, Humanist Society chief executive, said: "Despite the laws against medical assisted dying in Scotland, people can travel to other countries such as Switzerland to access this support.

"These new results show that over half the population would actively consider this as an option.

"This should raise serious concerns among policy makers that this fast becoming only an option for those who are wealthy enough to afford to travel abroad."

A forum on assisted dying will be held at the annual Humanist conference later this month with input from other campaign groups.

Alyson Thomson is the Scottish director of one such group, Dignity in Dying.

She said: "Dying people deserve better than a law that one which discriminates between the rich and poor and forces people to cut their lives short through fear of not being able to board a plane.

"The current law is broken. It causes too much pain and suffering for the terminally ill and their families.

"One day people will look back in disbelief at how long it took the Scottish Parliament to realise this."