There are few more urgent and important socio-moral questions than the question whether voluntary euthanasia and/or physician-assisted suicide should be decriminalized. The question continues to generate intense and widespread debate. Regrettably, the quality of that debate fails to do justice to the importance of the question. In this presentation, Dr. John Keown aims to promote a more accurate and informed understanding of the issues. He sets out seven arguments, which are commonly advanced by advocates of decriminalization, and offers corresponding counter-arguments. The arguments for decriminalization undoubtedly merit a reply. However, as will become apparent, cogent replies are available. Moreover, these replies need rest on no religious basis. The aim of the talk is to provide anyone interested in this pressing debate with a clear overview of the arguments and to suggest that the case for decriminalization is far less persuasive than is often thought. It concludes that relaxing the law would be a grave mistake, which could hinder rather than help the urgent task of improving care of the sick and dying.