Presents a comprehensive examination of the issues surrounding the question of whether a person has the right to suicide or not. The pros & cons of euthanasia, the influence of chronic/terminal illness on the right to die issue, the impact of the media on contagion/imitation, the dynamics of suicide pacts, & the effect of hospitalization on the suicidal patient are included in the discussion. The author suggests that approved & institutionalized suicide is a cultural step backwards. (30 refs) LH