by Timothy E. Quill, Lonny J. Shavelson, and Fred S. Marcus

About the authors: Timothy E. Quill is a primary care physician and the author of A Midwife Through the Dying Process. Lonny J. Shavelson is a physician and the author of A Chosen Death: The Dying Confront Assisted Suicide. Fred S. Marcus is a physician and president of the Death with Dignity National Center.

“I am a retired general surgeon . . . dependent on a respirator. . . . When my continued survival is no longer meaningful (to me), I hope that a caring physician will make the transition as easy as possible. . . . I realize that some health professionals will find it impossible to do this, but I hope they and society will understand the true compassion for their patients’ suffering that motivates the physicians who do...