The fear associated with death is powerful, but the fear of living an unfulfilling life full of unnecessary suffering is even more powerful. This inspires those in such situations to believe that we, as human beings, have the power to control our destiny. Many movements involved in euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide (PAS) started internationally with this phrase in mind. Euthanasia is defined as “the painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful illness, or who is in an irreversible coma”. Christopher Docker defines PAS as "...the provision by a physician, knowingly and lawfully, to a patient who has fully requested it, of the means enabling that patient to end his or her life." (Docker 8) These groups focus on the question of why should we endure incurable suffering, especially when modern technology does nothing to alleviate the pain. Terminally ill patients should have the right to choose a merciful release. In the case of Botsford v. Union Pacific Railroad Co. of 1981, the Supreme Court concluded that "...no right is more sacred or more carefully protected, by the common law, than the right of the individual to the possession and control of his own person. If we are given this control in life, then people facing terminal illnesses and constantly suffering from chronic pain should be able to alleviate their suffering through their own choice. It is important that each individual has power over their own life, including in this area. should have the right to die if his life loses its quality. For example, people who suffer from painful and incurable illnesses like Ebola hemorrhagic fever know that the illness will end their lives and that their death can be complicated and painful. . People in the middle of paper ...... there strengthen the essay. » Docker, C. (April 2013 – The Exit Path Europe. I. (January 1, 2007). A concise history of euthanasia: life, death, God and medicine. Lanham, Maryland. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. Dubose, ER (June 1, 2001). Park Ridge CenterProCon (December 13, 2013). Fantastic source to reference throughout this essay, it covers both sides of this controversial issue without bias. It also covers the history of the topics, which helped build a timeline” World Health Organization (April 2014). ). Ebola virus disease. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs103/en./