The Dutch "Model"

Since 1973, physician-assisted death has been legal in the Netherlands. An offical study done by the government in 1990 (known as the Remmelink Report) revealed that euthanasia is commonplace. The statistics can be summarized as follows:

Total yearly deaths (1990) 129,000
Total deaths where physicians shortened life 53,500

This is broken down as follows:

Active euthanasia (by lethal drugs):

Increased narcotics that shortened life

Primary intent to shorten life 1,350
Partial intent to shorten life 6,750
Probably shortening life 14,400

Withholding or withdrawing treatment

With request 4,756
Without request
- With primary intent to shorten life 3,600
- With partial intent to shorten life 4,275
- At least probably shortening life 14,625

Explanatory notes:

8,100 people were killed by a sudden increase in their narcotics; 60 percent of the time this was not discussed with the patient.
73% of the cases of "euthanasia without request" were performed on people who were incompetent and could not make decisions for themselves. However, 2,150 lives were shortened (either actively or passively) without consulting a competent patient who could have had the course of action discussed with him or her.
The legal requirements include: consultation with another doctor; recording the cause of death as euthanasia; and persistant, enduring request. However, these requirements were not generally followed. Most deaths by euthanasia are reported as natural deaths. As well, 59% of euthanasia was carried out within 24 hours of the patient's request: 11% within the hour.
The reason that people requested euthanasia had to do more with social concerns than pain. These included "loss of dignity", "unworthy dying", "dependence on others" and "tiredness of life".
The Dutch Paediatric Association is seeking the legalization of killing handicapped newborns, while reports of this practice are increasing.

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