Euthanasia in the Netherlands
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The experience with euthanasia in the Netherlands has colored the debate around the world regarding euthanasia and death with dignity, and whether physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia should be legalized (Cohen-Almagor 95). Some believe it offers a model for the rest of the world to follow, while others believe it represents danger and that it provides the definitive answer why these practices should not be legitimized. The Dutch understanding of euthanasia is more direct than that of other countries. Other places distinguish between active and passive euthanasia, between direct and indirect euthanasia, and between voluntary and involuntary euthanasia. The Dutch are more straightforward: the term to them means the intentional taking of someoneÆs life at his or her explicit request. Legally in the Netherlands, only a competent patientÆs request for euthanasia can be accepted. What is termed euthanasia in the Netherlands is termed active euthanasia in other parts of the world. Withdrawal of care is not considered euthanasia in the Netherlands, but elsewhere it is considered passive euthanasia. According to Dutch law, any treatment that has no clear medical benefit for the patient is regarded a sfutile, and argues that no patient should be subjected to useless medical interventions and that these treatments should not be offered as an option. Unintended shortening of life in the course of treatment to abate suffering is viewed as a physicianÆs duty to alleviate p
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carried out with appropriate medical care. The physician is required to report the death to the local pathologist, specifying whether it was euthanasia or assisted suicide.
Mak, Elwyn and Finlay (2003) suggest that legislation of euthanasia should not be passed until more exploration is carried out on why patients want euthanasia and what end-of-life care would change these views. They say qualitative, experiential, and patient-based research is needed to help define the complexity of patientÆ subjective experiences and determined the influences and meanings that lay beneath their desire for death. Justification for euthanasia, they say, has pivoted on unbearable suffering, respect for autonomy, and dignity in death. Proponents have argued that competent patients with an incurable illness and intolerable suffering should be able to determine the time and manner of their death. They make the claim that this view is gaining support within an increasingly secular society with an individualistic and utilitarian ethos - which is a little biased and restrictive reasoning. They say opponents highlight the dangers for patients if healthcare professionals and society look toward ending the life of the sufferer instead of striving t
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Approximate Word count = 1514
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)
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