The working party on euthanasia set up by the British Medical Association produced a report in 1988. The first of its terms of reference was to examine the ethical problems relating to euthanasia, terminal illness, & suicide. It is argued that as far as active, volutary euthanasia is concerned, the working party failed conspicuously to do its job. This article does not restate the case for active, voluntary euthanasia but examines the reason for the failure. (5 refs.)