This article discusses the legalization of physician-assisted suicide in America. Issues discussed include a patientÕs right to seek physician assistance in their suicide, the effect of legalization of physician-assisted suicide on other forms of euthanasia, & the obstacles relating to the restriction of physician-assisted suicide to uncoerced, mentally competent, terminally ill adults. The author concludes that legalizing physician-assisted suicide would be inconsistent with the life-preserving role of medicine & be detrimental to palliative care. (49 refs) (SC)