[Euthanasia: the state of the question--introduction]

After a parliamentary debate which has lasted several years, the Parliament has just approved a law depenalizing euthanasia under certain conditions. The medical profession was barely involved in this debate. On the international stage, the WMA and the CPME have taken clear positions against euthanasia. In Belgium, the medical opinion is parted into two camps. The Rectors, medical Managers and ethical Committee Presidents of academic hospitals of "Université libre de Bruxelles" (U.L.B.) and "Vrije Universiteit Brussel" (V.U.B.) have taken a clear position in favour of depenalization. However, many doctors, whatever their university, religion or political options have great fears about that law which raises more questions than answers: will it help the doctor?; will it help the dying patient?; will it give the doctors any legal protection which they do not already enjoy?; will it really allow patients to make use of their autonomy?; will it not, to the contrary, remove from the weakest in society the protection to which they are entitled? The future holds the answers to these disturbing questions.