The United States, and indeed the Western world, is bitterly divided on the issues of the right to die and euthanasia. Polls reported in 2004 indicated that between four and 10 percent of physicians helped to end a terminally ill patient's life at some time, even though such acts are against the law. Legislators, judges, and ordinary citizens have become embroiled in the passionate battle over the "right to die." Meanwhile, health care professionals, philosophers and religious leaders, and disabled or severely ill people and their families continue to debate whether, and under what circumstances, euthanasia or assistance in suicide is a valid ethical or moral choice. "Right to Die and Euthanasia", the newly updated edition of "Physician-Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia", starts with an overview of the history of this topic, as well as the opinions surrounding it, ranging from the trial of Socrates in ancient Greece to the recent battle over the fate of Terri Schiavo in Florida.
