Euthanasia supported by most: review
MOST New Zealanders support some form of euthanasia or assisted dying, research suggests.
A group of University of Otago researchers has reviewed existing research investigating New Zealanders’ attitudes to euthanasia or assisted dying over the past 20 years.
Across all surveys, on average, 68.3% of people support euthanasia and 14.9% oppose legislation, while 15.7% are neutral or unsure. A total of 36,304 people were surveyed.
New Zealand is considering an End of Life Choice Bill.
If the Bill (or a modified form) passes, it would allow people with a terminal illness or a grievous and irremediable medical condition the option of making a voluntary choice over the timing of their death. Submissions are before the justice select committee, and the committee is due to report on the Bill early next year.
Lead author of the research review, research fellow Jessica Young, said the findings were consistent with international research.
‘‘It seems that a majority of the public are open to the possibility of legislative change.
‘‘It is less clear what forms of euthanasia or assisted dying New Zealanders think should be available, or when and how it should be accessible, though some form of regulation is expected.’’
Survey questions typically ask respondents whether doctors should be allowed to help a patient die, at that patient’s request, when their condition is terminal or incurable and/or they are in pain.
Among studies that specifically differentiated between euthanasia (a lethal injection administered at the voluntary request of a competent patient by a doctor) and assisted dying (the researchers’ define as being when a person obtains a lethal prescription from a doctor and selfadministers), support for a doctor to end a person’s life upon request was 67.9%. Support for assistance from someone other than a doctor (e.g. family) was only 48%.
Overall, no differences were found between genders, and results according to age appeared to be mixed.
Of all indicators of socioeconomic status, only educational attainment was statistically significant, with lower educational attainment being associated with higher support for euthanasia. Those living rurally were found to be more supportive of euthanasia.
Support and opposition varied across health professional specialties with palliative care specialists being mostly opposed to euthanasia/assisted dying, whereas GPs were split more evenly between support and opposition.
Two important things missing from the review, Ms Young said, were research examining the attitudes of New Zealanders who were approaching the end of life, and people with disabilities.
While it was difficult to draw firm conclusions because of the variety of reporting methods, measures and parameters used within studies, it seemed that a majority of the public were open to the possibility of legislative change.
The researchers concluded that specific research was needed to understand the views of potentially vulnerable populations, such as those with disabilities, and to evaluate which conditions and safeguards New Zealanders believed should be available.