[Euthanasia, four propositions of the Consultant Committee on Bioethics]

The relation between patient and doctor has changed since detailed information of the patient has become a common attitude in the medical community primarily for cancer patients. Our National Ethical Committee has analysed the legal rules in terms of euthanasia and the "on site" situation concluding that 4 distinguished propositions can be made: a) To modify the law and to define clinical situations where euthanasia is admitted. b) To establish an "a posteriori" procedure for an euthanasia decided by the physician and his patient. c) To establish an "a priori" procedure for an euthanasia decided within a consultative committee. d) To maintain the current situation prohibiting euthanasia The arguments for each individual proposition will be discussed in the text.