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 pain in the Netherlands (Cohen-Almagor 96). In some parts of the world this is considered indirect euthanasia. The decision to end a life without an explicit request is not termed euthanasia in the Netherlands, but is considered killing the person: involuntary euthanasia is considered a contradiction in terms. Although assisted suicide is considered a crime by law, the Dutch do not discriminate between euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide in the medical...