by Rita L. Marker

About the author: Rita L. Marker is an attorney and executive director of the International Anti-Euthanasia Task Force.

Of all public controversies in recent years, assisted suicide perhaps is the one surrounded by the greatest degree of misunderstanding. For example, one often hears it referred to as the “right to die.” Yet assisted suicide has nothing to do with letting someone die. Neither the law nor medical ethics requires that a person be kept alive by being subjected to unwanted medical treatment.

Furthermore, the debate isn’t about the tragic, personal act of suicide, nor is it about attempted suicide. Neither suicide nor attempted suicide is considered a criminal act. Instead, the current debate is about whether public policy should be changed in a way that...