"Today's sentencing of Jack Kevorkian to a 10-25 year prison term is a strong deterrent to those who would take the lives of patients prematurely.
"The American Medical Association's Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs opinion is that physician-assisted suicide is unethical and in direct opposition to the role of physician as healer.
"The AMA remains committed to assuring patients dignity and adequate relief of pain at the end of their lives.
"The AMA has long supported compassionate, quality care for dying patients. We will continue our efforts to teach physicians everything they should know about providing proper end-of-life care.
SOURCE: American Medical Association