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New Poll Finds Americans Increasingly Opposed to Assisted Suicide

New Poll Finds Americans Increasingly Opposed to Assisted Suicide
A new poll recently highlighted in LifeNews.com finds Americans are divided on the idea of legalizing euthanasia, but the opposition to the practice is growing.
The new survey from Angus Reid Public Opinion, a Canada-based polling firm, asked 1,001 Americans, “Generally speaking, do you support or oppose legalizing euthanasia in the United States?”Although the term “euthanasia” was used in the question rather than the term “assisted suicide,” which generally draws a stronger negative reaction, the results reveal some interesting opinions:
  • Only 42% support legalizing euthanasia in the United States.
  • 65% of those polled believe parents who assist a terminally ill son or daughter to die should be legally punished.
  • 63% think people who help a person to commit suicide should be prosecuted.
Opinions were slightly different among Democrats, Independents and Republicans. While almost half of Democrats (47%) andIndependents (also 47%) support legalizingeuthanasia in the U.S., a slim majority of Republicans(51%) are against it.
The level of support for legalizing euthanasia is down from the August 2009 poll Angus Reid conducted. That survey found 45% of respondents in favor compared to 42% in this latest study.
Angus Reid also asked if legalizing euthanasia “would send the message that the lives of the sick or disabled are of less value.” Respondents split 44-44 percent with 12 percent saying they are uncertain.
“I am constantly reading comments that basically state that we cannot win the assisted suicide battle. I am convinced that we can push-back and stop the legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide,” stated Alex Schadenberg, the head of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition in an interview with LifeNews.com.
“We need to take these types of poll results to heart and tell others that legalizing euthanasia gives a physician the right to directly and intentionally cause your death and legalizing assisted suicide gives a physician the right to be directly and intentionally involved with causing your death,” he said.
“I find that most people really don't like the idea of giving someone else the right to cause their death,” Schadenberg concluded.
Assisted suicide is not a new idea in the state of California or its Legislature. Proponents have been pushing this agenda for years. Although Oregon, Washington, and Montana have allowed assisted suicide, a broad and diverse pro-life coalition that includes California Family Council has been successful in defeating physician-assisted suicide each time it has been introduced in California.
CFC’s Sacramento-based legislative team will continue to keep you informed, as we remain vigilant in protecting the most vulnerable among us from harm. You can stay up to date on this and other issues affecting California’s families by logging on to www.californiafamily.org.
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