Study supports physician-aided suicide

SALT LAKE CITY, Sept. 27 (UPI) -- A U.S. study has determined legalization of doctor-assisted suicide does not result in a disproportionate number of deaths among specific groups.

The University of Utah-led study contradicts arguments by assisted suicide critics such legalization would result in disproportionate deaths among the elderly, poor or chronically ill, women, minorities, uninsured, minors, mentally ill and less educated patients.

The study focused on Oregon and the Netherlands, where doctor-assisted suicide is legal. It found only AIDS patients use doctor-assisted suicide at elevated rates, researchers reported.

"Fears about the impact on vulnerable people have dominated debate about physician-assisted suicide," said the study's lead author, bioethicist Professor Margaret Battin. "We find no evidence to support those fears where this practice already is legal."

Oregon is the only U.S. state in which physicians are allowed to prescribe lethal medications to terminally ill patients.

The Netherlands allows doctors to prescribe medication for suicide or perform euthanasia for patients facing intolerable suffering.

The research is reported in the October issue of the Journal of Medical Ethics.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International

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