Euthanasia
The moral and ethical justifiability of euthanasia has been a highly contentious issue for the past few decades. The debate as to whether right to life includes the right to die a dignified death has infiltrated the boundaries of India as well. Growing public sensibility to a ‘right to die’ for terminally ill patients has been one of the main constituents of these debates. Within this context, a study on understanding public opinion is India is conducted by Jindal Institute of Behavioral Sciences. A self-administered survey is formulated.The survey is administered on n= 7314 respondents from almost 15 states in India. The aim of the research is to assess the public attitude in India towards euthanasia, the specific reasons and circumstances for which euthanasia is favored or opposed.
Research Findings
It is found that 59% of the total sample favored Euthanasia in some form: Passive Euthanasia, Active Euthanasia or Physician Assisted Euthanasia. The research gives an insight on varied reasons behind supporting Euthanasia: Vegetative State, Incurable disease, 90% paralysis, Affordability, Consent of the family. On the other hand, 41% of the respondents in the study do not support legalizing Euthanasia. The purpose of opposing Euthanasia is further examined which include Religious Sentiment, Social Stigma, Psychological impact on the family and morality.
Outcomes of the Project
Sahni, S. P. & Jain, G. (2018). Euthanasia: A Review on Worldwide Legal Status and Public Opinion. Criminology and Criminal Law Review, 1 (1), 63 – 76.
A paper proposal is submitted for review on ‘Right to Life includes right to die a dignified death: Public Opinion about Euthanasia in India’ to Societas Ethica’s 53rd Annual Conference, Bad Boll, Stuttgart, Germany (18th- 21st August 2016).