I believe that people have a right to die with dignity and if that means euthanasia, then I think it should be accepted by the medical community (and legal community). However, as a former suicide prevention and crisis counselor, most people thinking about suicide tend to be thinking about putting out the pain of one part of themselves because another part of them wants to live without the pain. In the literature, this is called "egocide." I've seen many approaching death with a renewed sense that every moment is full and precious, even if great pain and suffering is also present. In our modern culture, we fear death, old age, and sickness so have unrealistic expectations that everyone should be happy, youthful, able bodied, not to mention looking like a movie star. That is a sad cultural myth that makes people feel that if they don't have those things, something is terribly wrong. Some people who face serious problems with health or other things telescope their lives too narrowly which is completely normal as a human response. Being able to open up again and embrace even small treasures in life is quite meaningful and can turn even a feeling of hopelessness into a great gift. Also other people are affected by suicide so that has to be considered. We are all connected by an intricate web of relationships to each other. Those relationships may not even be that apparent in the foreground but are still there. Humans are hard-wired to be connected to others. Our culture believes in individualism, but that is also a myth. We are social primates; we want to interact, do things for others, be a part of community, have meaningful interactions. If you are asking about yourself or someone in your life, don't take my word for it. Call a hotline and discuss what suicide means and what effects it has on others who survive. These calls are confidential and the people who answer are well informed and well trained.