Evan Wolfson, Senior Fellow, Wolfson Center for National Affairs, moderator. Discussants: Sylvia Law, Professor of Law, New York University; Barbara Cooms Lee, attorney, President of Compassion in Dying; and Rev. Dr. Paul Smith, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Brooklyn.

Whether the terminally ill, mentally competent adult should have choice about the end of life has been a prominent national debate at least since Oregon's unique Death with Dignity Act became law more than five years ago. The attempt by the federal government to nullify physician-assisted dying as a legitimate medical purpose was rejected at the district court level and is now awaiting a hearing in the U.S. Court of Appeals. This discussion of pros and cons includes a range of perspectives and addresses related issues such as the need to improve palliative care and why New York and other states haven't followed Oregon's example.

Inscription: Assisted Dying / 5-6-03.