Eight out of 10 people said they will not opt for life-prolonging treatments if they are certain of death, a local survey showed Monday.

According to the survey conducted on 346 people by a team of doctors at Konyang Medical University, 79.7 percent of the respondents say they would refuse treatment that could prolong their life, such as anti-cancer drugs, CPR, dialysis, and respirators, if they are terminally ill.

People with religion are more likely to refuse such life-sustaining treatments, the survey added.

(Yonhap)
(Yonhap)

"It looks like people with religion tend to believe in an afterlife and thus tend to be more determined against meaningless existence," said Kim Kwang-hwan, one of the medical doctors in the team.

Under the Hospice, Palliative Care and Life-sustaining Treatment Decision-making Act that will come into full effect in February, medical staff will be permitted to suspend life-prolonging treatment. Terminally ill patients can fill out an official form making clear their intentions and opt to die with dignity. (Yonhap)