73 percent of Americans favor euthanasia
The right of a doctor to end a terminally ill patient’s life by painless means if the patient requests it is supported by 73% of U.S. adults, a record percentage since the Gallup’s annual Values and Beliefs poll asked this question.
Support for euthanasia is almost double than it was when Gallup first polled on the question in 1947.
Back then, 37% of respondents said euthanasia should be allowed by law.
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The procedure is now supported even by a slim majority of weekly churchgoers (55%), whereas nearly nine in 10 adults who rarely if ever go to church say this should be allowed (87%).
When it comes to ideological groups, almost nine in 10 liberals (89%) support euthanasia, compared with 79% of moderates and 60% of conservatives.
81% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents, as well as 67% of Republicans and Republican leaners, say euthanasia should be allowed.
Doctor-Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia
Since 1996, Gallup has asked a separate question about a practice related to euthanasia – if doctors should be allowed to assist a terminally ill patient ”commit suicide if the patient requests it.”
Doctor-Assisted Suicide was, traditionally, seen less favourably by the American public.
Currently, 67% say doctors should be allowed to do so. From 1996 through 2013, an average of 58% supported doctor-assisted suicide, while 69% supported euthanasia.
The diminished gap can be related to some states have passed ”death with dignity” laws, that allow patients to ask doctors to end their lives.
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