Choosing to die.

Most Canadians -- 76% -- think people have the right to doctor-assisted suicide.

Euthanasia, or mercy killing, is highly controversial issue, but it's one that will crop up more frequently as our population ages. As things stand now, public opinion on the matter isn't always reflected in the courts.

Back in 1994, Sue Rodriguez committed suicide with the help of a doctor. She had long been in severe pain from an incurable, and increasingly crippling, nerve disease that left her without enough movement to end her own life. She fought long and hard for her personal right to die when she chose. But, the Supreme Court of Canada rejected her right-to-die appeal by a five to four vote. The justices said the federal law against assisting in suicides did not violate her constitutional rights.

Most recently, a Halifax doctor, Nancy Morrison, was released of a charge of using a lethal injection to kill 65-year-old cancer patient who was dying in agony. Dr. Morrison did not have to go to trial because a Nova Scotia Provincial Court judge ruled there wasn't enough evidence against her. She said the decision would likely relieve other doctors who are concerned about being charged with murder over the way they care for a dying patient. Her lawyer, Joel Pink, said the federal government needs to review the law about how doctors can deal with the issue.

"They should...try to protect doctors who in fact care (for) and support their patients during this terrible, terrible (dying) process," he said.

As the law stands, no one is allowed to relieve a person's suffering if it involves the intention to kill. That's why Saskatchewan farmer Robert Latimer was convicted of murder in the death of his 12-year-old severely disabled daughter in 1997. And that's why Bert Doerksen, 79, was charged in January 1998 with assisting in his wife Susan's death -- at 78, she had suffered chronic pain for 52 years and wanted to die.

While many think the law should be changed, others are not in favour of euthanasia. They're worried that laws legalizing mercy killing could be imposed on people who cannot speak for themselves and may not want to die. Supporters say that allowing euthanasia and doctor-assisted suicide, with strict controls, would allow people who are in chronic pain and suffering from terminal illness to choose to end their lives, without harming others.