Euthanasia in the Netherlands: Brief Historical Review and Present Situation (IN: Euthanasia: the Good of the Patient, the Good of Society, ed. by R I Misbin)

This chapter discusses euthanasia in the Netherlands from a medical viewpoint. The definitions used in Dutch discussion on this subject are provided & a review of the history of euthanasia in the Netherlands follows. The latter half of the chapter includes discussion of the incidence of euthanasia, active termination of life in incompetent patients, & other points for discussion, namely does legalization of euthanasia harm society & does it harm the image of medical professionals as healers? (14 refs.)