[Acceptance or rejection of euthanasia. Survey of 3021 Federal Government employees]

A survey was conducted with 3021 employees of the Federal Government using self-administered questionnaires in order to collect data on the socioeconomic background of those surveyed (sex, age, civil status, number of children, religious, affiliation, educational level and monthly income), as well as their opinions about euthanasia. For the purposes of this study, three types of euthanasia were considered: 1) passive (the suspension of life support systems); 2) active (the application of immediate death causing means for people who suffer from incurable illnesses); and 3) active in the medium term (the application of substances which keep a patient sedated and comfortable while all food is withheld). Passive and medium-term active euthanasia were accepted by 40 percent of the population surveyed, while active euthanasia was accepted by 20 percent. These percentages were higher among young people, among those who were not heavily influenced by or did not practice religion, among professionals and among post-graduates.