[teiferer]

> It's interesting that our laws punish homicide with maximum criminal penalties, but the opposite (keeping someone alive against their wishes) seems to be assault and battery at worst, with much much lighter punishment.

It's not just the punishment but also how it's investigated / reported / charged. If somebody dies and there is just the slightest hint that another person was involved, by neglect or active help, police gets going right away. If somebody died "of natural causes" while suffering, or isn't even dead, just suffering, who is going to bring the charges? The suffering person won't. They are often unable to do so, that's why they are suffering in the first place. It's just an accepted part of being old and dying. Not even to speak of religious grounds (some of which consider suffering just being part of god's will).