Implications of legalising euthanasia in The Netherlands: greater regulatory control?
Euthanasia has been decriminalised in The Netherlands for the last 30 years, but it was only in April 2001 that the Dutch Parliament legalised voluntary physician-assisted suicide. The legislation incorporates developments in case law, including scope for peer review, and provides common ethical principles for a clear system of control over doctors' actions in regard to patients who request euthanasia. The legalised regulatory system may prove more effective in controlling voluntary and non-voluntary euthanasia in The Netherlands than in countries where euthanasia remains illegal.
Thynne
Kelisiana
K
Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Law, Australian National University.
D001293:Attitude to Death; D005065:Euthanasia / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D033161:Government Regulation; D006801:Humans; D009426:Netherlands; D010819:Physician's Role; D010820:Physicians / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012297:Right to Die / Q000941:ethics; D017236:Suicide, Assisted / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*