The Dutch Experience (IN: The Case Against Assisted Suicide: for the Right to End-of-life Care, ed. by K Foley & H Hendin)

This chapter reviews the Dutch experience of assisted suicide. The history of euthanasia & assisted suicide in The Netherlands is reviewed. The author argues that a casual attitude regarding these practices has led to the extension of physician-assisted suicide & euthanasia to patients suffering not only from terminal illness, but also from chronic illness & psychological distress, & not necessarily with patient consent. The implications of these findings are discussed.