Why The Netherlands?

Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 30 (2002): 95–104. © 2002 by the American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics. he Dutch experience has influenced the debate on euthanasia and death with dignity around the globe, especially with regard to whether physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia should be legitimized or legalized. Review of the literature reveals complex and often contradictory views about the Dutch experience. Some claim that the Netherlands offers a model for the world to follow; others believe that the Netherlands represents danger, rather than promise, and that the Dutch experience is the definitive answer regarding why we should not make active euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide part of our lives. Having investigated the Dutch experience for a number of years, in the summer of 1999 I went to the Netherlands to visit the major centers of medical ethics as well as some research hospitals, and to speak with leading figures in euthanasia policy and practice. This essay commences by providing some background information on the practice of euthanasia and on the legal framework, and then reports the main answers to my first question: Why the Netherlands? What are the reasons that prompted the Dutch to adopt their policy? For limitations of space, I do not report all the answers to my questions. This I have done in my forthcoming book, Euthanasia in the Netherlands.