The “right to die” in the United States has long been a controversial issue.

Campaigns have sprouted vigorously within the last two decades, prompting discussion on what it means to be on the receiving end of the secobarbital or pentobarbital dose for people to understand the potential struggles, complications and unimaginable suffering that permeates the lives of the terminally ill.

This process, otherwise known as physician-assisted suicide, is set in place to aid those with incurable diseases that live in agony day in and day out. Beginning primarily in Oregon with the “Death with Dignity” act back in 1997, similar laws have made their way into several other states, including Washington, Vermont   and California.

According to deathwithdignity.org, the law allows “mentally competent adult state residents who have a terminal illness with a confirmed prognosis of having six or fewer months to live to voluntarily request and receive a prescription medication to hasten their inevitable, imminent death.” Essentially, have a statement declaring that they’re giving consent to the physician, the person must be mentally and emotionally stable and not be suffering from depression of any kind.

This same legislation is now being considered in New York. According to cnycentral.com, there will be a conference on assisted suicide later this month and a panel in March to discuss the intricacies and legalization of assisted suicide. The ethical implications behind physician-assisted suicide harbor good intentions; the goal is to minimize suffering for the sufferer and to provide a choice for those with the desire to peacefully end their lives.

Discussion on the topic is important, yet death in American society is almost taboo to openly talk about. Given the delicacy of the issue, understanding the viewpoints of another is paramount to making progress. The right to have a choice in the matter is the most ethical way of approaching this subject.

You must remember: diagnosis of a terminal illness can happen to anyone at any particular moment. As it is right now, if an individual who lives in any state without this law in place contracts a form of debilitating disease that evolves and impairs their quality of life, they will have to continue to live under those conditions unless they pass away or conduct a suicide attempt that may or may not be painful and have excruciating repercussions for the family.

The “right to die” act protects your ability, as a human being, to have a choice in the face of imminent death. The legality of your right to die should not be questioned under such conditions.