London, Dec 1 (IANS) A majority of Britons are in favour of of legalising assisted suicide, according to a new poll which has reflected strong support for a change in the law across Europe.
According to the poll, conducted on behalf of the Swiss Medical Lawyers Association (SMLA), nearly three quarters of Britons are in favour of legalising assisted suicide, the Daily Mail reported.
The survey found large majorities in the 12 west European countries involved supported the right of people to choose when and how they die.
According to two-thirds to three-quarters of the respondents, they could imagine opting for assisted suicide themselves, in case of suffering from an incurable illness, serious disability or uncontrollable pain.
In Britain, 71 percent said they might seek assisted suicide while Greece was the most reluctant with 56 percent saying they might do so.
In Germany, most were in favour of the right to decide when and how one dies, with 87 percent supporting the idea.
The practice is now allowed in only four countries on the continent — Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Switzerland.
Germany has proposed legalising the practice as long as no profit is involved while France is debating whether to allow it or not at all.
