The Nine Justices Will Decide About Dying

Today (2/22/05) the U.S. Supreme Court decided to hear the case from the Federal Government claiming that the 1994 Oregon Death With Dignity Act -- which permits physician-assiseed suicide by the oral drinking of prescribed barbiturates -- breaks Federal laws on the use of dangerous drugs.

The State of Oregon replies that such actions, and uses, are within medical practice, which are governed by the states.

The Bush administration argues -- of course -- that assisted suicide, even for dying people, is not a 'medical practice' and therefore the drugs are being used illegally.

We won't get the Supreme Court's ruling until the end of this year.

--Derek Humphry
www.assistedsucide.org