ABSTRACT
Euthanasia is emerging as a grave issue in medical and biomedical fields. The fate of Euthanasia however, swings like a pendulum with terms like 'merciful intervention' at one pole to 'endangering human rights' on the other. The ongoing debate has lead to many surveys with significant results showing the upward increase in acceptance of either performing or securing intentional actions resulting in termination of life. This study is carried out to know about the perception regarding Euthanasia. The aim is to perceive understanding towards Euthanasia in medical students and its usage in their future practices. Qualitative descriptive study design. This study was the Department of Community Medicine, SMC, Karachi from April 2011 to September 2011. Sample size is 400 collected from Dow University of Health sciences, Karachi and sampling design is simple random. Evaluation tool is structured questionnaire based on 3 case studies with the consideration of ethical issues. In the data analysis 48.25% endorsed the act of euthanasia in certain cases while 40.25% strongly disagreed with it. Remaining 11.5% supported the cause only when the patient is willing. 13% individuals opted for actively easing the suffering of a patient in Case-1 while 11% agreed to prescribe a lethal drug/dosage in Case-3 of voluntary euthanasia. A staggering 40% ordered removal of life saving equipment in Case-2 of a vegetative patient as passive euthanasia. The leading cause for supporting euthanasia was increased availability of equipment and resources at a 48% while 62% of the discord was due to belief in life/death being a matter for the Lord only. When faced with a choice, 39% found ethnic discrimination more abusive of a doctor's oath than 23% of those who choose Euthanasia. To conclude, significant numbers of medical students support Euthanasia especially passive euthanasia. Religious beliefs are of serious concerns while gender also plays a small part in the decision making