1997 BC Euthanasia Poll
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The poll suggests that public support for legalizing euthanasia is largely driven by two factors: (1) concern over human suffering; (2) inadequate knowledge about dying persons' legal right to refuse treatment and medication that is only prolonging suffering. The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition of B.C. believes that improved availability of palliative care for the dying, as well as more awareness of the existing rights of dying persons, may lead to a significant decrease in the demand for legalization.
Summary of Results
A slim majority favor legalizing euthanasia...
Are you in favor of legalizing euthanasia?
Yes 53.7% No 38.3% Do not know/Refused 8.0%
Concern over pain & suffering is driving public support...
Why do you favor legalizing euthanasia?
Pain/Life Quality Issues 48.1% Rights Issue 42.9% Other 7.7% Do not know/Refused 1.2%
Opposition to euthanasia is strongest among those most directly affected...
| 35 - 44 Age Group 14% Less Likely than the Average to Oppose Euthanasia |
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| 55 - 64 Age Group 12% More Likely than the Average to Oppose Euthanasia |
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(65+ Age Group are 47% more likely to oppose euthanasia than the 35 - 54 Age Group)
There is widespread ignorance on euthanasia issues; two thirds of those in favor incorrectly defined euthanasia...
Is euthanasia refusing medication or treatment that prolongs life?
All Respondents |
Euthanasia Supporters |
Yes (wrong answer) 54.1 No 42.1% Do not know/refused 3.8% |
Yes (wrong answer) 67.3% No 24.1% Do not know/refused 8.6% |
Is it currently legal for terminally ill patients to refuse treatment or medication to prolong life?
All Respondents |
Euthanasia Supporters |
Yes 57.4% No (wrong answer) 32.8% Do not know/refused 9.8% |
Yes 55.9% No (wrong answer) 35.5% Do not know/refused 8.6% |
Many are concerned about abuses (including those in favor)...
There is concern about misdiagnosis...
Misdiagnosed patients may end their life based on the belief that they are terminal:
All Respondents |
Euthanasia Supporters |
Concerned 76.8% No Concern 21.6% Do not know/refused 1.7% |
Concerned 66.0% No concern 31.8% Do not know/refused 2.3% |
There is concern about hospital waiting lists...
With long hospital waiting lists some patients may be pressured into euthanasia rather than suffer while awaiting treatment:
All Respondents |
Euthanasia Supporters |
Concerned 73.6% No concern 24.9% Do not know/refused 1.5% |
Concerned 64.2% No concern 35.5% Do not know/refused .3% |
There is concern about temporary depression...
Some people might request euthanasia while in a temporary state of depression after being diagnosed as terminally ill:
All Respondents |
Euthanasia Supporters |
Concerned 82.3% No concern 16.6% Do not know/refused 1.1% |
Concerned 76.1% No concern 23.3% Do not know/refused .6% |
There is concern about informed consent...
Patients who are mentally incapacitated could be euthanized without full informed consent:
All Respondents |
Euthanasia Supporters |
| Concerned 86.2% No concern 12.3% Do not know/refused 1.5% |
Concerned 79.3% No concern 18.8% Do not know/refused 1.9% |
A euthanasia law could never contain complete safeguards
All Respondents |
Euthanasia Supporters |
Concerned 79.9% No concern 19.6% Do not know/refused .5% |
Concerned 71.3% No concern 28.7% Do not know/refused 0% |
There is concern about the "slippery slope"...
All Respondents |
Euthanasia Supporters |
Concerned 78.1% Do not know/refused .5% |
Concerned 66.4% No concern 33.3% Do not know/refused .3% |
Should parents be allowed to have their child euthanized?
All Respondents |
Euthanasia Supporters |
No 59.2% Yes 29.7% Do not know/refused 11.1% |
No 44.4% Yes 42.9% Do not know/refused 12.7% |
The Public Consensus: Alternatives to euthanasia are needed...
People need help, not suicide...
People who want to commit suicide should be helped with their problems not helped to die by means of assisted suicide.
All Respondents |
Euthanasia Supporters |
Agree 71.0% Disagree 21.4% Do not know/refused 7.6% |
Agree 67.3% Disagree 24.1% Do not know/refused 8.6% |
The public wants government guaranteed pain relief...
Should the government guarantee availability of pain relief programs and palliative care for the terminally ill as an alternative to euthanasia.
All Respondents |
Euthanasia Supporters |
| Yes 80.6% No 15.8% Do not know/refused 3.6% |
Yes 67.3% No 30.0% Do not know/refused 2.7% |