On the Supreme Court’s ruling of Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act. “Any effective physician has two fundamental roles. The first is to prolong life. The second is to ease suffering. In most situations, easing suffering is part of prolonging life, as when we guide a patient through an accident or a surgery and treat pain as part of ensuring survival. Sometimes, though, our two roles collide, and a decision must be made as to which to prioritize. This decision is made, in part, by considering long-term outcome as well as the wishes of the patient. It is never a perfect situation, but we physicians have been making this determination for eons, and we cannot be penalized or prosecuted and still be expected to function.”

In terminal cases, easing suffering and pain is the only priority. Period. Any dissenting viewpoint really has no business being involved in medical care.