Euthanasia Law in the Netherlands Medical Ethics Euthanasia Law in the Netherlands

First country in the world to legalise euthanasia. Termination of Life on Request and Assisted Suicide (Review Procedures) Act took effect on April 1, 2002. It legalized euthanasia and physician assisted suicide in specific circumstances.

Doctors who perform euthanasia will not be prosecuted if: The patient must be a Dutch national (ie hold a Dutch passport) the patient's suffering is unbearable with no prospect of improvement the patient's request for euthanasia must be voluntary and persist over time the patient must be fully aware of his/her condition, prospects and options there must be consultation with at least one other independent doctor who needs to confirm the conditions mentioned above the death must be carried out in a medically appropriate fashion by the doctor or patient, and the doctor must be present the patient is at least 12 years old (patients between 12 and 16 years of age require the consent of their parents) After assisting with a suicide, doctors are required to make a full report to the Royal Dutch Medical Association as well as the legal authorities.

Key Aims of the Legislation Euthanasia is not just available ‘on demand’. To respect the wishes of individuals .

The Groningen Protocol Euthanasia remains technically illegal for patients under the age of 12. However the Dutch public prosecutor will not press charges if the "Groningen Protocol" is followed. The presence of hopeless and unbearable suffering The consent of the parents to termination of life Medical consultation having taken place Careful execution of the termination The death must be reported to the local medical examiner, who in turn reports it to both the district attorney and to a review committee.

Further details can be found at: www.minbuza.nl/en/welcome/Netherlands/social,index.ht ml