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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Ama Turns Back Suicide Measure

Compiled From Wire Services

A proposal to end the American Medical Association’s opposition to physician assisted suicide met with strong opposition Sunday, although many doctors are citing the need for more effective measures to relieve the pain suffered by some terminally ill patients.

A resolution submitted to the AMA seeks a basic change in the group’s policy on assisted suicide, which holds that the practice is “fundamentally inconsistent with the physician’s professional role.”

The resolution urges that the AMA adopt a neutral position, and take a wait-and-see approach to pending legislation and societal attitudes on assisted suicide.

The physician assisted suicide proposal submitted by Dr. Ulrich Danckers of River Forest found few if any supporters at a committee hearing Sunday.