Euthanasia and Doctor-Assissted Suicide: Responses by Oncologists and Non-oncologists

The authors surveyed the views of oncologists & non-oncologists concerning euthanasia & physician-assisted suicide (PAS). Both groups were found to have similar opposition to euthanasia on philosophic or general grounds. Both admitted to participation in passive euthanasia, with little support for active euthanasia & PAS. However, should these practices be legalized, more non-oncologists than oncologists would agree to participate. Overall, oncologists expressed more opposition to termination of life than non-ocologists. (12 refs)