Euthanasia: the Dutch experience

Although rules about euthanasia have been developed in the Netherlands, euthanasia has not been legalized. We review the historical aspects of euthanasia, its definition and why no distinction is now made between active and passive euthanasia in the Netherlands. The guidelines for euthanasia, in use in the Utrecht University Hospital, are presented and the result of some studies on euthanasia is discussed. Non-treatment decisions were taken in 17.5% of all deaths in 1990 but only 1.8% of all deaths were the result of euthanasia. Life-terminating acts without explicit and persistent request of the patients occurred in 0.8% of all deaths. The most common reasons for requests for euthanasia were loss of dignity in 57%, pain in 46%, distressing mode of dying in 46% and being dependent on others in 33%. Of all medical decisions concerning the end of life 79% related to patients older than 65 years. The guidelines for euthanasia developed in the Netherlands support both patient and physician in the request for euthanasia.