Should Incurable Patients Be Allowed to Die?

Abstract

We examined differences in attitudes to the question "Should incurable patients be allowed to die?" using the General Social Survey cumulative data from 1972-2002. Utilizing logistic regression, we examined support for this statement with age, gender, race and other background variables in the basic model. Our findings are in line with past work that finds younger people, men and self-defined liberals support non-treatment compared to others all else equal. Controlling for background variables; however, we found that whites are less likely to support non-treatment than blacks.

Physician-assisted suicide: Saying what we mean and meaning what we say

“…For example, it is now commonplace to use the expression ‘the right to die’ – as if one had any choice about the matter! In a recent example of this, Babylon and Monk-Turner (2006) posed the question ‘Should incurable patients be allowed to die?’ The image is almost reminiscent of King Canute – a stern-faced, single-minded committee opposing the incoming tide of death.…”