41.   Both supporters and opponents of assisted suicide and mercy killing use the statistical evidence to bolster their cases.

42.   But advocates of assisted suicide scoff at the idea that it is new.

43.   But assisted suicide is against the law.

44.   But backers of the state bans on assisted suicide say the two situations are clearly distinguishable.

45.   But because the battle is likely to presage others in states that are beginning their own agonizing over assisted suicide, it will be closely watched and hard fought.

46.   But cable might not be much more than helpful participants in an assisted suicide.

47.   But doctors do so now, virtually unregulated, by masking what amounts to assisted suicide with cosmetic reasoning that disguises intent.

48.   But Dr. Marion Primomo, a pioneer in hospice care, is firmly against assisted suicide.

49.   But even the doctors who endorsed the concept Monday cautioned that a final resolution of the problems of assisted suicide could be a long way off.

50.   But ever since the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this year ruled that there was no constitutional right to assisted suicide, all eyes have turned to Oregon.