I want to offer an alternative opinion to that given by Thomas Szasz' that physician assisted suicide ought to be a basic human right.

Arguments for and against physician assisted suicide and euthanasia.

1) Argument for: It removes suffering.

Argument against: This argument assumes there is no value in suffering and that humans can decide when a person's life is meaningful. I frequently see tremendous lessons taught and learned through suffering. There are examples of suffering that have served as inspiration for millions. Some virtues--such as courage and perseverance--can only be developed and expressed through difficult times. Also, suffering can draw the person closer to their Creator.

Current medical science can alleviate most kinds of physical pain to improve the quality and quantity of remaining life. Research from the Netherlands shows that 95% of all requests for euthanasia are due to mental illness, not physical suffering. Legalized physician-assisted suicide makes it more difficult to protect from suicidal impulses the depressed, mentally ill, or those suffering from untreated pain.

Finally, this argument for suicide assumes that death ends suffering. There is Biblical support that suicide can dislodge a person from relationship with God for all eternity. I can think of no worse suffering than that.

This view gives supreme value to personal autonomy. If there is no authority higher than the individual, we have the right to kill ourselves.

Argument against: Certainly, not everything a person believes to be in his own best interest actually is. Pain can further cloud judgment. Furthermore, how can intentionally induced death be called an act of freedom when it destroys all freedom? The very notion of autonomy presumes a will to live, but suicide ends freedom. Dead people don't have freedom.

If the supreme value, instead of personal freedom, is the right to life given by God, a person doesn't have the moral authority to take his own life. The question over the morality of suicide seems based on the origin of life. Our country was founded on the view that life comes from God, as the Declaration of Independence asserts. Our laws have reflected that belief throughout our nation's history by consistently prohibiting suicide. The Supreme Court in a unanimous 1997 opinion rejected the claim that assisted suicide is a constitutionally protected right.

Laws help advance and protect what a society values. Legalization of euthanasia would devalue life and undermine our sense of responsibility, love, and sacrifice for others. Humans are inconvenient at both ends of their lives and when ill. We are valuable because of our humanity, not because we are healthy and convenient.

The arguments for euthanasia overlook a truth thought to be self-evident in our nation's founding document: We don't owe our lives to ourselves. Our rights are not given to us by any government or individual. Life is a special mysterious gift from our Creator that is beyond our control and not ours to destroy.

Despite this nation's God-oriented beginning, we have, for all practical purposes, removed God from government and classroom. By our example we have taught our children that God is not necessary, and by abortion we have taught our children that we do not value human life. As Guy Doud, 1986 National Teacher of the Year, said, "I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day; I'd rather you walk with me than merely point the way. The eye's a more ready pupil than ever was the ear; Fine counsel is confusing, but example's always clear."

It is critical that our nation legally oppose anything that devalues human life, its Creator, and our vocation to serve God and others as God's Moral Law instructs. Otherwise, we teeter on the edge of self-destruction.

Annie Bukacek MD