Netherlands

We have to try harder, say Belgian euthanasia doctors. We’re only #2

Michael Cook | 17 January 2012

Remember the Avis Rent-a-Car commercials from the 1960s? Maybe not. Anyhow, they tripled the company’s market share with the slogan, “Avis Is Only No. 2, We Try Harder.” The Belgian right-to-die lobby seems to have the same can-do attitude.

Completed lives: a Dutch explanation

Michael Cook | 02 December 2011

The concept of a “completed life” which deserves voluntary euthanasia is a controversial one. The Dutch group Of Free Will , which is campaigning for its legalisation, has explained the reasoning behind the movement in an English-language pamphlet, “The self-chosen death of the elderly”. It was written by Wouter Beekman and translated with the help of a grant from the Society for Old Age Rational Suicide (SOARS), in the UK.

Informed consent in Netherlands: euthanasia

Michael Cook | 12 November 2011

A 64-year-old Dutch woman with dementia was euthanased earlier in March, it has been revealed. According to the Dutch daily De Volkskrant, it was the first time that a person in an advanced stage of dementia had been euthanased.

Informed consent in Netherlands: circumcision

Michael Cook | 12 November 2011

Dutch doctors should discourage the circumcision of boys, even from Jewish and Muslim families, says the Royal Dutch Medical Association (KNMG), because children cannot give informed consent.

Dutch “Lord of the Data” forged dozens of studies: report

Jared Yee | 04 November 2011

A leading Dutch social psychologist fabricated or manipulated information in dozens of research papers over almost a decade, an investigation has concluded.

Dutch doctors complain about long wait for judgments in euthanasia cases

Jared Yee | 23 September 2011

Dutch euthanasia doctors must wait up to eight months to find out if they will undergo criminal investigation.

Euthanasia becoming integral part of Dutch medicine

Michael Cook | 17 September 2011

Furore in Netherlands over refusal to conduct euthanasia funeral

Michael Cook | 26 August 2011

But what happens when a religion does not accept euthanasia? This is being debated in the Netherlands after a Catholic priest in the small town of Liempde refused to say a funeral mass for a man who had opted for euthanasia.

Dutch doctors solidly behind euthanasia: poll

Michael Cook | 04 August 2011

How much can on-line polls be trusted? Not much. An on-line poll about euthanasia? Even less. However, in view of the sketchy state of information about euthanasia in the first country to legalise it, any poll is welcome.

Living wills for people who will to live

Michael Cook | 07 May 2011

BioEdge recently reported that nervous Nellies in the Netherlands were carrying “please DO resuscitate me” cards instead of “do not resuscitate” cards. This week we stumbled across a Dutch organisation which provides this documents.

Fearful elderly people carry “anti-euthanasia cards”, campaigner says

Jared Yee | 27 April 2011

Elderly people in the Netherlands are so afraid of being killed by doctors that they carry cards saying they do not want euthanasia.

Dutch activists planning euthanasia clinic

Michael Cook | 26 January 2011

Doctors disapprove

Steep rise in official Dutch euthanasia

Michael Cook | 13 November 2010

Committees overworked.

Dutch euthanasia growing rapidly

Michael Cook | 21 June 2010

Is it due to the collapse of palliative care?

Dutch death angel exonerated after 6 years in jail

Michael Cook | 14 May 2010

A bad hair day for Dutch justice system

More surprises in Dutch euthanasia of infants

Michael Cook | 27 March 2010

Doctors not killing their quota of babies

Dutch Parliament to debate euthanasia for anyone over 70

Michael Cook | 12 March 2010

Group gathered 112,000 signatures

Dutch may create suicide professionals to help over-70s

13 February 2010

Petition launched

Are some Dutch having second thoughts about euthanasia?

Michael Cook | 05 December 2009

Minister responsible for the law says it may have been a mistake

Even in Netherlands, euthanasia is still taboo for mental patients

Jared Yee | 05 December 2009

Put mental patients out of their misery, lawyer says