Physician-assisted death (Euthanasia) Not Common

A new study finds public support for physician-assisted death has plateaued in the United States, and the practice hasn't soared as some had feared. In places where it's legal, physician-aided death remains rare. In fact, researchers found it's confined mostly to cancer patients who are white, wealthy and well-educated. Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel is chair of the department of medical ethics and health policy at the University of Pennsylvania, and the lead researcher in the study. He told UPI, "The vast majority of dying patients don't use physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia -- they don't even think about it." He said less than 0.5 percent of deaths in Washington state are from physician-assisted suicide. Washington is one of five U.S. states where physician-aided death is legal. The others are California, Montana, Oregon and Vermont.