Our role in the generation, modification and termination of life.

Questionnaries answered by professors of medicine indicate strong concern about but not agreement on ways of dealing with overpopulation. (Earth's population is now doubling every 37 years.). Overpopulation must be reduced by education, counseling, provision of contraceptive services and development of simple abortifacients. Extension of amniocentesis studies with simple abortion for defective fetuses is indicated. As organ transplantation becomes more successful, philosophic considerations must prevail with the advantages and disadvantages of prolonging life carefully weighed in each case. Prolongation of the life of the body in the absence of mentation is negligent. Problems of aging and potential suicide require sympathy and understanding. Physicians must consider negative euthenasia for people suffering agonies of physical and mental deterioration. Arrangements for positive euthenasia under appropriate conditions must also become a possibility.