Euthanasia
Other People 's Lives: Reflections on Medicine, Ethics, and Euthanasia
Richard Fenigsen, M.D., Ph.D.* Part Two: Medicine Versus Euthanasia
Chapter XXIX. The Shaping of Public Opinion
In Holland, the opinion polls conducted in the last three decades have shown an increasing acceptance of euthanasia by the public: in 1986, 76 to 77 percent of the respondents supported euthanasia (whether voluntary or involuntary),^38 jjj 2001 the percentage rose to 82.^^ The consolidation of the present overwhelming majority must be seen as a remarkable phenomenon in the very diversified Dutch society where so many religious denominations coexist and no less than eleven political parties compete in the elections. One of the influences that has contributed to creating those exceptionally high percentages in favor of euthanasia was the way the polls were conducted. With social acceptance of euthanasia known to be on the rise.
" Chapters XXIX and XXX of Other People 's Lives: Reflections onMedidne, Ethics, and Euthanasia, by Richard Fenigsen, also published sub. nom Przysiega Hipokratesa [The Hippocratic Oath] by Ryszard Fenigsen (Polish, 2010). Dr. Fenigsen is a retired cardiologist, Willem-Alexander Hospital, 's-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands; M.D., University of Lodz Medical School (Poland), 1951; Ph.D., Medical Academy, Lodz, 1959. Chapters I and II were published in the Spring 2008 edition, 23 ISSUES IN LAW &MED. 281 (2008); Chapters III, IV, and V were published in the Fall 2008 edition, 24 ISSUES IN LAW &MED. 149 (2008); Chapters VI, VII, and VIII were published in the Spring 2009 edition, 24 ISSUES IN LAW & MED. 221 (2009); Chapters IX - XII were published in the Summer 2009 edition, 25 ISSUES IN LAW & MED. 45 (2009); Chapters XIII and XIV were published in the Fall 2009 edition, 25 ISSUES IN LAW & MED. 169 (2009); Chapters XV - XX were published in the Summer 2010 edition, 26 ISSUES IN LAW & MED. 33 (2101); Chapters XXI - XXIII were published in the Spring 2011 edition, 26
Richard Fenigsen, M.D., Ph.D.* Part Two: Medicine Versus Euthanasia
Chapter XXIX. The Shaping of Public Opinion
In Holland, the opinion polls conducted in the last three decades have shown an increasing acceptance of euthanasia by the public: in 1986, 76 to 77 percent of the respondents supported euthanasia (whether voluntary or involuntary),^38 jjj 2001 the percentage rose to 82.^^ The consolidation of the present overwhelming majority must be seen as a remarkable phenomenon in the very diversified Dutch society where so many religious denominations coexist and no less than eleven political parties compete in the elections. One of the influences that has contributed to creating those exceptionally high percentages in favor of euthanasia was the way the polls were conducted. With social acceptance of euthanasia known to be on the rise.
" Chapters XXIX and XXX of Other People 's Lives: Reflections onMedidne, Ethics, and Euthanasia, by Richard Fenigsen, also published sub. nom Przysiega Hipokratesa [The Hippocratic Oath] by Ryszard Fenigsen (Polish, 2010). Dr. Fenigsen is a retired cardiologist, Willem-Alexander Hospital, 's-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands; M.D., University of Lodz Medical School (Poland), 1951; Ph.D., Medical Academy, Lodz, 1959. Chapters I and II were published in the Spring 2008 edition, 23 ISSUES IN LAW &MED. 281 (2008); Chapters III, IV, and V were published in the Fall 2008 edition, 24 ISSUES IN LAW &MED. 149 (2008); Chapters VI, VII, and VIII were published in the Spring 2009 edition, 24 ISSUES IN LAW & MED. 221 (2009); Chapters IX - XII were published in the Summer 2009 edition, 25 ISSUES IN LAW & MED. 45 (2009); Chapters XIII and XIV were published in the Fall 2009 edition, 25 ISSUES IN LAW & MED. 169 (2009); Chapters XV - XX were published in the Summer 2010 edition, 26 ISSUES IN LAW & MED. 33 (2101); Chapters XXI - XXIII were published in the Spring 2011 edition, 26
Cited: 80 Issues in Law 8i: Medicine, Volume 28, Number 1, 2012 ""^ NED. VERENIGING VOOR VRIJWILLIGE EUTHANASIE [Dutch Association for Voluntary Euthanasia], LEVENSTESTAMENT/EUTHANASIEVERKLARING [Living Will/Declaration of Request for Euthanasia] (1982) (i984);H. TEN HAVE & G. KIMSMA, GENEESKUNDE TUSSEN DRROM EN DRAMA [Medicine between dream and drama] 83-87 (Kok-Agora Pubs., Kampen 1987); and G.F V. GENEESKUNDE 2017 (1986). 84 Issues in Law & Medicine, Volume 28, Number 1, 2012 ^° ' ' M. SCHOOYANS, MAÎTRISE DE LA VIE, DOMINATION DES HOMMES [Mastery of life, domination of people] (Éditions Lethielleux, Paris-Namur 1986).