I've often said that if the time ever came when I was suffering w/an incurable disease that I'd want to have the option to die w/dignity by my own hand. A friend of mine unexpectedly died just a few days ago in his sleep, the way that many of us say that we'd like to go. After thinking about it, though, I would not want to go that way unexpectedly. If I were seriously ill and knew that death was imminent, then, yes, dying in my sleep would be preferable to long term suffering. Otherwise, as long as I have my mind in good working order, I want to live and use my mind to help me attain that goal. However, if the suffering becomes unbearable or if I can no longer take care of myself (I live alone), then I feel that it should be my right to choose when to leave this earth. I hold the belief that this life is not the only life there is and I say that, not to start another discussion about life after death and/or to highjack this thread, but I say it b/c that's what I believe. We help our beloved pets to die when the quality of life is no longer present; we should be able to make that same decision for ourselves. No one should be able to make that decision for us but the doctors who might help us in this endeavor should be held harmless.