Americans Approve of Doctor-Assisted Suicide
SRBI Public Affairs conducted a nationwide poll for Time Magazine that has direct implications for Oregonians. Aside from the fact that the President's approval rating is down 5 points in a week, take a look at these numbers:
Q16. UNDER OREGON LAW, TERMINALLY-ILL ADULTS MAY REQUEST THAT A PHYSICIAN ADMINISTER A LETHAL DOSE OF MEDICATION TO END THEIR LIFE. DO YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH THIS OREGON LAW?
Agree -- 52%
Disagree -- 41%
Don't Know -- 7%
While the wording of this poll (leaving out the term "suicide") undoubtedly affected the results (when does it not, though?), it's nonetheless significant that a majority of Americans agree with our law.
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March 28, 2005
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8:17 a.m.
Mar 28, '05
I think the poll question is actually an incorrect statement of Oregon law. Our law allows physicians to prescribe the medicine, but I believe the medicine has to be self-administered. Right?
Mar 28, '05
Evan --
Great catch! I didn't even notice that when I posted the story. You would think they could have asked the right question in the first place, but evidently they can't.
Mar 28, '05
Maybe it's time for the Death with Dignity groups to use conservative messages to support their issue.
To establish an "Ownership Society", we must recognize first and foremost that individuals "own" their own lives.
What use is ownership in a personal retirement account if the government can force you to spend it staying alive against your wishes?
If you really "own" your own life, you should be free to end it you no longer find value in living.
9:39 a.m.
Mar 28, '05
Does the Dr. have the ability to assist the patient if he is physically unable to do so? I thought that was true. It's clear that the patient must be mentally sound, but if they are paralyzed I thought they could get assistance with administration.
Mar 28, '05
Hence the term "assisted suicide." If the physician administers the lethal dose, it is euthanasia, not suicide.
Mar 28, '05
Joe: Per ORS 127.880: "Nothing in ORS 127.800 to 127.897 shall be construed to authorize a physician or any other person to end a patient’s life by lethal injection, mercy killing or active euthanasia." So nobody but the patient can administer the dose.
The entirety of the Death With Dignity Act (ORS 127.800 to 127.897) is here.
Mar 29, '05
The question of adminstration of a lethal dose is a significant one. If a US majority would support a physician administering the dose, one could suppose that an even larger majority would support the MD only providing the prescription and the patient actually taking their own life.
In particular, MDs and other health care providers generally feel their duty is extension of life, or at a minimum "doing no harm".
In addition, the actual facts of assisted suicide in Oregon are not widely known: very few prescriptions are written, and even fewer patients actually commit the life-ending act. However it is believed (based on feedback on the OR program) that many patients are reassured that this option is available, even if they don't act on it - either asking for the prescription or administering the lethal barbituates.
These poll results are very surprising to me. It would be interesting if other organizations did additional polling to see if this poll's results are representative.
Mar 29, '05
panchopdx: To establish an "Ownership Society", we must recognize first and foremost that individuals "own" their own lives. . . . If you really "own" your own life, you should be free to end it you no longer find value in living.
JK:Of course neither Dems Or Repbs want to allow you to own your body. They think they know better:
Thanks JK
Posted by: panchopdx | March 28, 2005 08:41 AM