In March 1999, the most famous practitioner of physician-assisted suicide, Dr. Jack Kevorkian, was convicted of second-degree murder and the delivery of a controlled substance for assisting in the death of a terminally ill patient. For his participation in the man's death, which was videotaped and shown on the television show "60 Minutes," Dr. Kevorkian was sentenced to 10 to 25 years in prison.

Although Dr. Kevorkian's conviction attracted more publicity, a recent piece of legislation may have more significant ramifications for the right-to-die movement. Last October, the U.S. House of Representatives passed "The Pain Relief Promotion Act," which encouraged doctors to take all possible action to relieve the pain of terminally ill patients, short of prescribing lethal doses of medication. The U.S. Senate is now considering the bill.

Currently, Oregon is the only state that has legalized physician-assisted suicide. The federal "Pain Relief Promotion Act" would effectively overturn Oregon's law and keep other states from adopting similar measures.

On One Hand...

Every individual has dominion over their body and should be allowed to decide when to end their life. To achieve that end, with dignity and without pain, doctors should be allowed to aid terminal patients by providing necessary doses of drugs (under the Oregon law, doctors are not allowed to administer the drugs; they are only allowed to prescribe a lethal dose.)

One damaging ramification of "The Pain Relief Promotion Act," would be doctors' reluctance to prescribe high doses of painkillers necessary to relieve extreme pain for fear that they will be suspected of participating in an attempted suicide.

On the Other Hand...

The choice between life and death belongs to God, not to an individual. Our society does not condone suicide under any circumstances and there is no moral difference in this case.

In addition, terminally ill patients suffering extreme pain may not be competent to make a rational decision about whether they want to live or die. The role of doctors in this complex situation is to provide medical treatment when possible, and appropriate pain relief when treatment options have been exhausted. By assisting patients in suicide, doctors play a role that is contrary to the mission of their profession.

"The Pain Relief Promotion Act" is an affirmation of the importance of adequate pain management, not an attempt to prolong the suffering of terminal patients.

• In 1994 Oregon voters passed the "Death With Dignity" law in a statewide referendum by a narrow 51 percent to 49 percent margin. After numerous unsuccessful legal challenges, the law took effect in 1997. In November of that year, a measure was included on the general election ballot in an attempt to repeal the law. The measure was defeated in a 60 percent to 40 percent vote.

• Since the law took effect in late 1997, 43 people have taken advantage of Oregon's Death with Dignity law by opting for physician-assisted suicide.

Oregon's Death With Dignity Annual Report, Christian Science Monitor