Physician-assisted suicide occurs when a physician facilitates a patient's death by providing the necessary means and information to enable the patient to perform the life ending act. Physician-assisted suicide is illegal in most states with the only exception being Oregon. Physician-assisted suicide has been gaining support over the past half century in the United States.
             In 1994, 51% of Oregon's voters supported the "Death with Dignity Act," and 60% reaffirmed it in 1997. The law recognized the right of terminally ill patients to end their suffering legally and painlessly by allowing a doctor to prescribe a lethal dose of medication upon request. Two doctors must deem the patient, who must be an adult, to be terminally ill and mentally competent, he must be informed of all options for alleviating his suffering, and the doctor must observe a 15-day waiting period between the decision and the prescription. In 1998, the first full year of the law's operation, 15 people used the law to end their lives by lethal prescription. A further six were recognized as eligible, but died from their illnesses before they could take the medication. In 1999, approximately 20 people ended their lives with a physician's assistance.
             One can't think about physician-assisted suicide without having Dr. Jack Kevorkian come to mind. There is a great deal of controversy surrounding Dr. Kevorkian to this day. He was nicknamed "Dr. Death" after publishing research in which he photographed the eyes of patients at the moment of death. He learned that when a person dies, their corneas turn clear. He had hoped his research would help fellow doctors distinguish between comas and death. He is widely known for his involvement in helping approximately 130 people commit suicide. Each patient came to him seeking 'assisted suicide'.
             There are many issues surrounding physician-assisted suicides. The main issue...