The State - News from May 8, 1988

A poll of San Francisco physicians shows that most support voluntary euthanasia for the terminally ill, but are divided on the role doctors should play in such cases. The San Francisco Medical Society’s survey was conducted to help the group determine its position on a proposed statewide ballot initiative that would legalize physician-assisted suicide. “The survey results suggest doctors view having the option legally available to patients differently than the question of whether they should be the ones to do it,” said Steve Hellig, an official of the medical society. Of the 750 physicians who participated in the survey, 70% supported making voluntary euthanasia legal for patients. But only 45% said they would personally carry out such a request from a patient.