Doctor assisted suicide: An analysis of public opinion of Michigan adults

Michigan public opinion on Doctor Assisted Suicide (DAS) was assessed in Ja nuary 1997 (N = 603). Asked if they would consider DAS for themselves, two- thirds would if being kept alive by a machine or were experiencing chronic pain; one-half would if they experienced a loss in mobility or independence , became a burden to others, or were diagnosed with a terminal disease; and one-third would if they were incontinent or going to a nursing home. A ser ies of demographic and attitudinal comparisons were made for support for th e concept of DAS and as a hypothetical consideration for oneself. The highe st support for the concept of DAS was found among the following: men eighte en to twenty-four years old, some college education, $35-60,000/year income , Caucasian, Democrat, liberal, Protestant, and frequent church attendee. T he highest self-consideration of DAS was found among the following: men, fi fty to fifty-five years old, post-graduate education, $35-60,000/year incom e, Caucasian, Democrat, liberal, Protestant, and infrequent church attendee .