The AMA and Euthanasia/Assisted Suicide The American Medical Association (AMA) has long been known for its strong opinions. As the issue of euthanasia, particularly physician-assisted suicide, has come to the fore, the AMA has taken a strong position on this controversial topic as well. This time the AMA has taken a firm stand to preserve, not end, the lives of elderly/handicapped/depressed/mentally ill patients, etc. This essay will explain in detail the position of this influential group of doctors. The AMA filed an amicus brief in the 9th Circuit case involving physician-assisted suicide. In this brief, the AMA stated: "There is, in short, compelling evidence for the need to ensure that all patients have access to quality palliative care, but not for the need for physician-assisted suicide..." The AMA is keenly aware that doctors perform a crucial act of healing and saving lives. Accepting the dual role of taking life and protecting it at the same time would undermine their credibility and the sacred trust that exists between patient and doctor. This is why the AMA recently announced the creation of the Institute of Ethics. The goal of this entity within the AMA will be to educate 10% of member physicians (estimated at 20,000) about hospice and palliative care. Furthermore, they believe that providing a responsible alternative treatment to end life will eliminate the pursuit of euthanasia altogether. This aggressive new project will be led by Linda Emanuel, professor of bioethics at Harvard. The two-year pilot program is funded by a $2 million grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Ironically, this foundation is also well known for aggressively funding abortion. However,...... middle of the paper......ertaking. They are convinced that when patients are offered a reasonable alternative, they will refuse euthanasia. “The other part is based on fear and anxiety,” Dr. Gomez said. “When you attack that fear directly, you take away the strength of the other side's arguments.” The program is expected to be operational in six to eight months. It will take all this time to train the necessary speakers and organize things. It is too early to say whether the Institute will be involved in sponsoring and promoting anti-euthanasia legislation at the state or national level. However, the Institute for Ethics intends to set the tone for the AMA whenever it speaks on this issue: a powerful and influential voice in America's medical communities. WORKS CITED: AMA Institute For Ethics http://www.ama-assn.org/ ama/pub/category/2559.html