Posted on 11/28/2008 11:36:13 AM PST by wagglebee
Ottawa, Canada (LifeNews.com) -- A disturbing new poll from Canada finds an equal number of respondents would choose palliative care over euthanasia at the end of their lives. The results find death is increasingly becoming an alternative for pain relief for patients, the elderly or disabled.
The Environics polling firm queried Canadians and found 44 percent would choose euthanasia and the same amount would choose palliative care. The final 12 percent were undecided.
Dr. Delores Doherty, president of LifeCanada, the group that commissioned the poll, told LifeNews.com she is concerned by the results, which appear to show changing attitudes in different generations.
Among those over 60 years old, 51% of respondents would choose palliative care and 36% would choose euthanasia.
“It is noteworthy that older Canadians polled were more likely to choose palliative care,” she said. “This suggests that those closer to the end of their lives have a different perspective on illness and dying.”
Doherty continued: “We find the poll's support for euthanasia alarming and wonder if those polled realize that this is the deliberate ending of their lives."
"The conflict evident in the results reflects the fear people have of dying in misery," she added. "It also highlights the failure of the health care system to make palliative care equally accessible throughout Canada. The provision of quality end-of-life care must be a greater priority in this country.”
Dr. Doherty says palliative care provides effective pain-management, support, and care when a person is dying. Research shows that good palliative care can reduce the demand for what some call "mercy-killing."
Doherty says patients and elderly people need better care and help with treating depression for example, which can cause them to more realistically consider euthanasia.
“The experience in other jurisdictions where euthanasia and/or assisted suicide are legal has shown that many of those who 'choose' euthanasia are depressed and need treatment, not killing," she said.
"In addition, many vulnerable people have been killed without their consent in countries like Holland, which has had legal euthanasia for many years," she added.
The Focus Canada poll of 2023 Canadians was conducted between September 24 and October 21, 2008 and it has a margin of error of +/-2.2%.
LifeCanada, a national educational pro-life body, has commissioned an annual poll on life issues since 2002.
Related web sites:
LifeCanada - http://www.lifecanada.org
The culture of death simply wants to kill them.
Pro-Life Ping
Freepmail wagglebee to subscribe or unsubscribe from the moral absolutes ping list.
FreeRepublic moral absolutes keyword search
Canada Ping
We are heading for euthanasia not being a choice.
They are probably miffed at the numbers choosing palliative care. After all, those drugs cost money. Cheaper to kill ‘em off!
For the poll to be valid, the question needs to be asked only near the time when the dcision would normally be made.
why do people insist that other people should get their hands morally dirty just because someone wants to die conveniently and "nicely"....
fact folks....birth and death are necessary requirements......both have their drawbacks.....but both are natural......
if you want to die, die naturally....just let yourself go...stop involving society.....
Ah, but that costs money. Euthanasia is cheap--and easy.
Anyone planning to kill himself shouldn’t be allowed to vote.
agree. Most people, when actually faced with impending death, chose to have medical care to stay alive,
As many times....those "whose time is near" aren't competent...enough to answer that question.
Not at all sure it's "most".........
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.