Public Opinion and the Law: 75% of Canadian Physicians Favor Legalizing Euthanasia.

Canada's been feverishly and publicly debating the legalization of euthanasia (or physician assisted suicide or death with dignity or aid in dying) for months now. Today CBCNews reports a poll of 2025 physicians or medical specialists that shows 75% support the legalization of euthanasia. Per the article:

Of 2,025 medical specialists who answered a poll on the subject, 75 per cent said they were "certainly" or "probably" in favour of legalizing euthanasia, as long as the practice were strictly regulated.

The president of the federation of medical specialists, Dr. Gaétan Barrette, said doctors already see some form of euthanasia in the course of their work.

"Eighty one per cent of doctors do see the practice of euthanasia given the circumstances in their practice," Barrette said. "They hear their patients, they see their patients, asking for it."

The federation said Quebec society is overdue to hold a debate on the issue.

Barrette says the results of the survey prove that the specialists are in step with Quebec society.

A recent Angus Reid poll found that 77 per cent of Quebecers support the move to legalize euthanasia.

Barrette says the debate over euthanasia is similar to the one 20 years surrounding legal access to abortion.

I take away two great points from this quote: that the legalization of euthanasia is "similar" to the fight to legalize abortion. And that both doctors and society approve of the legalization.

If the public and doctors approve, what could prevent euthanasia from being legal in Canada? The vocal, powerful, well-funded, and entrenched "pro-life" conservatives! And if legalization occurs, can we expect the same limiting of access that has proven so successful among "pro-life" groups? Both there and here in the US, I would venture a yes. Dr. Tiller, harrassed and ultimately killed for performing a legal and life-saving service to women, serves as a sad and visceral example.

The article continues to quote Barrette:

He said doctors hesitated to perform abortions despite the wishes of the public.

"Society was ahead," he said. "Doctors came after, and then governments legislated much later after [the] Superior Court had to rule [ on the issue]," he said.

A clear law on euthanasia is needed, Barrette said.

Only when guidelines are in place can doctors, patients and their families make an informed decision on the course of treatment for someone who is terminally ill, he said.

In the US, where public opinion regarding the legalization of Death with Dignity may well lag behind government ruling (as with civil rights, abortion, and gay rights), we've learned that a democracy does a terrible job of protecting the rights of minority groups. Racism, "family values," and homophobia have dominated the culture and prevented public opinion from correcting great injustices via law. The courts and government have had to step in.

On the legalization of euthanasia in Canada, the opposite seems to be the case.

You can find more on the fight for assisted suicide in Canada here, here, here, and here.