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One of the difficulties with physician-assisted suicide is who makes the decision. There are significant problems with each of the following options: doctor, family, and self. I imagine the problems with both doctor and family are obvious -- too easy for a conflict of interest to obtain. The problems with self are perhaps less obvious, but consider that depression can be a passing condition, but suicide tends to be permanent. Also, what about situations where the patient is unable to express her wishes? Who interprets the living will?
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"Die Deutschen meinen, daß die Kraft sich in Härte und Grausamkeit offenbaren müsse, sie unterwerfen sich dann gerne und mit Bewunderung:[...]. Daß es Kraft giebt in der Milde und Stille, das glauben sie nicht leicht."
"The Germans believe that power must reveal itself in hardness and cruelty and then submit themselves gladly and with admiration[...]. They do not believe readily that there is power in meekness and calm."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
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