Pain is universal. In life, everyone will experience pain; it is inevitable and cruel. Physical or emotional, insignificant or serious, it is there. The pain continues to worsen until it becomes unbearable. A suffering that erases everything of value, such as family, love, aspirations and optimism. Despair takes hold of any will to endure. Without any way to soothe or control the pain, we often go to extremes to free ourselves from it. Many commit suicide to escape the horror. Committing suicide is a traumatic experience for everyone involved. Life is precious. The chance to live is only given once and cannot be taken for granted. Preventing even one life from ending prematurely is imperative and obligatory for everyone. Suicide can never be an option. Why then is it acceptable as an alternative treatment for serious medical conditions? Physician-assisted suicides have a negative impact on those involved and are unethical. In 2007, the American Geriatrics Society defined physician-assisted suicide as: "When a physician provides equipment or medications, or advises the patient of the most effective use of a medication already administered." available means, with the aim of helping the patient to end his life” (quoted in Lachman 121). Physician-assisted suicide is what it says, suicide. In the United States, the controversy over the “right to die” is not new. According to Vicki D. Lachman, clinical associate professor, after the 1997 Supreme Court decision, it was determined that there was no constitutional right to die. The Supreme Court allows states to pass laws to legalize physician-assisted suicide. Since then, three states, Oregon, Washington and Montana, have made it legal to practice physical medicine...... middle of paper ......urses 19.2 (2010): 121-125. MEDLINE. EBSCO. Internet. September 27, 2011. Linda Ganzini et al. “Quality of death and dying in patients who request medical assistance in dying. » Journal of Palliative Medicine 14.4 (2011): 445-450. Premier Academic Research. EBSCO. Internet. September 27, 2011. Luc Deliens, et al. “The role of nurses in medical assistance in dying in Belgium.” CMAJ: Journal of the Canadian Medical Association 182.9 (2010): 905-910. Premier Academic Research. EBSCO. Internet. September 28, 2011. Stevens Jr., Kenneth R. "Emotional and Psychological Effects of Physician-Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia on Participating Physicians." » Problems of Law and Medicine 21.3 (2006): 187-200. Premier Business Source. EBSCO. Internet. September 28, 2011.Sullivan, Stephen. "The Right to Die: A Discussion of 'Rational Suicide'." Mental Health Practice 14.6 (2011): 32-34. Premier Academic Research. EBSCO. Internet. September 27. 2011.