The author reviews the arguments used by supporters & opponents in Dr. Kevorkian’s & Nancy Cruzan’s cases, respectively. Dr. Dougherty discusses his own position against sanctioning doctor-assisted suicide. However he acknowledges public concern over what medical technology has done to the dying process, namely, the ability to keep patients in a persistent vegetative state alive. He argues that unless a better job is done in cases such as Cruzan, demands for “active killing” will increase.