In the early 90′s, a very famous pathologist named Jack Kevorkian began to advocate, in the state of Michigan, physician assisted suicide for terminally ill patients. He later served a prison sentence from 1999 to 2007 for his illegal actions. Many were and continue to be strongly opposed to the idea, equating it with murder. What is, however, important to understand is that Kevorkian was not killing people as a mass murderer would. There is, in fact, a perfectly logical argument for Kevorkian’s practice. Those who are opposed to assisted euthanasia often ignore the fact that certain terminal diseases (diseases to which there are no cure and that will certainly end in death) result in a miserable death for patients. (“Kevorkian will not assist in any suicides CBS news“) Examples include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, in which the patient’s motor neurons degenerate, resulting in complete paralysis of the patient and eventually a long and slow asphyxiation (“What is ALS ALS Association”) and pancreatic cancer, in which patients meet their end in excruciating pain and choking on their own blood and bile. (“Pancreatic Cancer Complications MayoClinic.com”) What several, who oppose assisted euthanasia would argue, is that it is infringing upon the most basic right: the right to life. In response, proponents would ask what about a patient’s right to death. What Kevorkian intended to do was to give these patients an opportunity to avoid the excruciating pain, as well as to die in peace. Kevorkian did not take the decision to administer the lethal injection lightly. He would have the patients screened by several psychiatrists to ensure that patients were truly prepared to accept this end. He would also consult several specialists of the disease to ensure that it was without a doubt terminal, and the patient was at any time free to back down. He even refused certain, cases in which there was hope for the cure of the illness or the patient themself was not prepared for the death. There are those who bring forth the argument of trauma to the family to watch a loved one essentially commit suicide. But is the trauma of watching a family member suffer through an excruciating death not greater? Furthermore is it not the right of a patient to choose their end for their own body? And moreover, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights even states that no one shall be subjected to excessive pain or torture, which is exactly what these patients are subjected to. (“The Universal Delcaration of Human Rights”) Further proof that this procedure is entirely justifiable is that several European countries practice it. They include Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands. (“Assisted Suicited laws around the world”) When Kevorkian recently spoke of running for congress, many laughed and joked that a murderer could be running the country. But what he truly is, is a human rights defender who, like so many before him, was imprisoned and persecuted for his actions. (“Kevorkian to run for office CNN”)