Doctor assisted suicide: an analysis of public opinion of Michigan adults.
Michigan public opinion on Doctor Assisted Suicide (DAS) was assessed in January 1997 (N=603). Asked if they would consider DAS for themselves, two-thirds would if being kept alive by machine or were experiencing chronic pain; one-half would if they experienced a loss in mobility or independence, became a burden to others, or were diagnosed with a terminal disease; and one-third would if they were incontinent or going to a nursing home. A series of demographic and attitudinal comparisons were made for support for the concept of DAS and as a hypothetical consideration for oneself. The highest support for the concept of DAS was found among the following: men eighteen to twenty-four years old, some college education, $35-60,000/year income, Caucasian, Democrat, liberal, Protestant, and frequent church attendee. The highest self-consideration of DAS was found among the following: men, fifty to fifty-five years old, post-graduate education, $35-60,000/year income, Caucasian, Democrat, liberal, Protestant, and infrequent church attendee.
Lachenmeier
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Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.
Kaplan
K J
KJ
Caragacianu
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D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001293:Attitude to Death; D003625:Data Collection; D006801:Humans; D008824:Michigan; D010146:Pain; D011057:Politics; D011639:Public Opinion; D011788:Quality of Life; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D017236:Suicide, Assisted / Q000523:psychology*