[Attitude of Swiss Army recruits from Tessin to pain and euthanasia (1992 and 1995)]

Nineteen-year-old Swiss Army conscripts were questioned in 1992 (n = 1361) and 1995 (n = 1050) about their opinions regarding pain and euthanasia. In 1995, 85% (1992: 71%) considered pain as a fundamental part of life, 73% (1992: 77%) thought that the patient himself should decide how to control pain, and 50% (1992: 51%) would accept the idea of euthanasia at the request of a family member with an incurable disease and in pain. Significant differences were found only in correlation to the degree of religious belief.