Factors Affecting Euthanasia :: Euthanasia Physician Assisted Suicide

Factors Affecting Euthanasia In the September 4 issue of the British. medical journal The Lancet, Canadian researchers report on how dying patients will to pass away is likely to show substantial fluctuation due to changes in both physical and mental portions. Dr. Harvey Chochinov of the University of Manitoba and his colleagues assessed the will to live twice daily in 168 mentally competent cancer patients admitted to palliative care, and correlated this with a variety of other factors. The patients ranged in age from 31 to 89 years old they survived an average of 18 days, though one woman lived more than 150 days. The factors with the most impact on the will to live were depression, anxiety, shortness of breath, and sense of well-being. Which factor was most key varied with the stage of illness. During the earlier course of a patients illness, anxiety was the dominant factor depression became more important later, and shortness of breath was the chief factor suppressing a will to live when death became imminent. The study confirmed that, at least during much of a terminal illnesss course, psychological factors weigh more severely in a desire for death than factors such as physical pain. Numerous US studies have established that the Americans most directly affected by the issue of physician-assisted suicide -- those who are frail, senile and suffering from terminal illness -- are also more opposed to legalizing the practice than others are * A crown conducted for the Washington Post on March 22-26, 1996, found 50% support for legalizing physician-assisted suicide (Washington A18) Voters elder 35-44 supported legalization, 57% to 33%. But these figures reversed for voters aged 65 and older, who opposed legalization 54% to 38%. Majority opposition was also found among those with incomes under $15,000 (54%), and black Americans (70%). * An August 1993 Roper poll funded by the Hemlock Society and other euthanasia supporters indicated that voters aged 18-29 supported physician-aided suicide 47% to 35% voters aged 60 and older opposed it 45% to 35%. Hemlocks newsletter commented that the younger the person, the more likely he or she is to favor this legislation. The newsletter added that this is somewhat at odds with how Hemlock views its membership, since it sees itself as defending the interests of elderly citizens. (Humphry Poll 9) A study of cancer patients found that terminally ill patients experiencing significant pain are more opposed to physician-assisted suicide than other terminally ill patients or the general public.