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"Death with dignity" law upheld

Washington: The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the right of doctors in Oregon to help terminally ill patients commit suicide, in a ruling that marked a serious defeat for the Bush administration. The court voted that the Federal Government did not have the power to overrule Oregon's voters, who voted twice for the state's unique ``death with dignity'' law used by more than 200 persons since it took effect in 1997. The six to three majority left new Chief Justice John Roberts, appointed last year by President George W. Bush, in the minority. It suggests that even if the President's second court nominee, Samuel Alito, is confirmed by the Senate, as expected, the administration will not be able to count on a majority for its actions. Under the ``death with dignity law,'' terminally ill patients must get a certification from two doctors stating they are mentally competent and have less than six months to live. A doctor can then prescribe lethal drugs, which have to be administered by the patients themselves.

- Guardian Newspapers Limited 2005

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