"The debate over the ethics of assisted suicide has raged for the better part of a century. From Dr. Jack Kevorkian's controversial practices to international euthanasia laws, there is nothing easy about the decision to end a life. The articles in this book speak to the legal battles, the historical context, and the personal stories that shed light on the various perspectives and conflicts that go into understanding the current state and future of assisted suicide. Media literacy questions and terms will engage readers and aid them in considering the many facets of this complicated issue"--Provided by the publisher.

Includes index. Includes glossaries. At head of title: The New York Times.

Making the case for assisted suicide -- Fatal mercies / by Frank Bruni -- For those at death's door, a case for 'life panels' / by Bob Goldman -- Weighing the end of life / by Louise Aronson -- Suicide by choice? Not so fast / by Ben Mattlin -- The last right / by Ross Douthat -- On assisted suicide, going beyond 'do no harm' / by Haider Javed Warraich -- Should I help my patients die? / by Jessica Nutik Zitter -- Charlie Gard and our moral confusion / by Kenan Malik -- Let dying people end their suffering / by Diane Rehm -- The death of the doctor's dog / by Barron H. Lerner, M.D. -- A debate over 'rational suicide' / by Paula Span -- Ethical, legal and political issues -- In Oregon, choosing death over suffering / by John Schwartz and James Estrin -- Arrests draw new attention to assisted suicide / by Robbie Brown -- A polarizing figure in end-of-life debates / by John Schwartz -- 'Aid in dying' movement takes hold in some states / by Erik Eckholm -- Doctor loses license over assisted suicides / by Alan Blinder -- Stigma around physician-assisted dying lingers / by Clyde Haberman -- Lawsuit seeks to legalize doctor-assisted suicide for terminally ill patients in New York / by Anemona Hartocollis -- California governor signs assisted suicide bill into law / by Ian Lovett and Richard Pérez-Peña -- Who may die? California patients and doctors wrestle with assisted suicide / by Jennifer Medina -- Assisted suicide study questions its use for mentally ill / by Benedict Carey -- Physician aid in dying gains acceptance in the U.S. / by Paula Span -- Gorsuch staunchly opposes 'aid in dying.' Does it matter? / by Paula Span -- Personal stories -- With help, conductor and wife ended lives / by John F. Burns -- In ill doctor, a surprise reflection of who picks assisted suicide / by Katie Hafner -- A life-or-death situation / by Robin Marantz Henig -- Brittany Maynard, 'death with dignity' ally, dies at 29 / by Daniel E. Slotnik -- Casualties of war / by Ann M. Altman -- The last thing Mom asked / by Sarah Lyall -- Assisted suicide abroad -- A poet crusades for the right to die his way / by Ian Fisher -- Italy to allow living wills and the refusal of end-of-life care / by Elisabetta Povoledo -- Assisted suicide of healthy 79-year-old renews German debate on right to die / by Mark Landler -- Push for the right to die grows in the Netherlands / by David Jolly -- Dutch law would allow assisted suicide for healthy older people / by Dan Bilefsky and Christopher F. Schuetze -- French families challenge doctors on wrenching end-of-life decisions / by Scott Sayare -- Justin Trudeau seeks to legalize assisted suicide in Canada / by Ian Austen -- Was a scientist's death murder or an 'act of mercy'? / by Rick Rojas -- Why David Goodall, 104, renowned Australian scientist, wants to die / by Yonette Joseph -- David Goodall, 104, scientist who fought to die on his terms, ends his life / by Yonette Joseph and Iliana Magra -- Reaching the end -- At his own wake, celebrating life and the gift of death / by Catherine Porter -- Rules for reporting a planned death: no photos, no pad, no pen / by Catherine Porter.