What makes euthanasia justifiable? The role of symptoms' characteristics and interindividual differences
2021
Abstrakt
The consideration of laypeople's views of conditions under which euthanasia is justifiable is important for policy decisions. In an online survey of US respondents, we examined how patient's symptoms influence justifiability of euthanasia.
Euthanasia was judged more justifiable for conditions associated with physical suffering and negative impact on other people. The weight given to physical suffering and negative impact on others in evaluation of justifiability of euthanasia also differed based on personal characteristics.
The results suggest that public discourse about medical assistance in dying should take into account differences in its perceived justifiability for patients with different conditions.