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Abstract:
In Nursing Times of May 17, 1995, Clinical Reports covered the important subject of euthanasia. Three papers examined the case for and against euthanasia. They provided some helpful background history to the subject and clarified the position as it currently exists in the Netherlands. A fourth paper, while not addressing the subject of euthanasia directly, examined the issue of resuscitation and emphasised the important ethical principle of respect for autonomy. It is always wise to bear this principle in mind whenever practitioners in the health professions are considering what they perceive to be in the best interests of the patient. The papers were followed by a questionnaire which readers were invited to complete and return, thus enabling them to make a contribution to the debate on this important issue. The results have now been analysed and in this paper the author comments on the findings. In order to do so, he has considered the information in the original papers and urges readers to do the same.