This article presents a speech by Dr. Reardon (Chair of the Board of Trustees for the American Medical Association) regarding physician-assisted suicide. He asserts that the position of the American Medical Association is that it is unethical to ask a physician to actively take a life & that such actions are anathetical to medicineÕs central mission of healing. Arguments to support this position are presented, including advances in palliative care & ambivalence of many patients considering physician-assisted suicide. (39 refs) (SC)