This article discusses the relationship between law & ethics. Models of ethical analysis (such as the Potter model) are presented. The influence of ethics, responsibility & accountability in the law are examined. American court decisions regarding physician-assisted suicide are then analyzed with respect to these influences. The author notes that the Supreme Court has only concurred with laws prohibiting physician-assisted suicide on the bases tested in these cases, but not stated that the prohibition of physician-assisted suicide will continue indefinitely. (76 refs) (SC)