Book Opener

The NetherlandsDo people who are incurably ill have the right to die? In a landmark decision,in the first year of the second millennium, the Dutch said yes. The Netherlands hasbecome the world’s first country to legalize euthanasia.Greek for “good death,” euthanasia is defined as the practice of painlesslyending the lives of individuals with incurable or painful diseases or severe handicaps.Although the Dutch “have shut a blind eye” to the practice of euthanasia for manyyears, a bill passed by Parliament’s lower house has made euthanasia legal.The procedural guidelines are strict:1. The attending doctor must be sure that the patient’s request is voluntary, wellthought-out, and that he or she is “facing unremitting and unbearable suffering.”2. The patient and doctor must agree that there is no other acceptable option.3. The doctor must consult with at least one other doctor who has examinedthe patient.4. The procedure must be carried out in a medically acceptable way.Euthanasia is a subject that not many people agree on. Advances in medicalscience that prolong life indefinitely, have made it an issue that’s not going to goaway. Here’s a snapshot of the Netherlands.Geographical area 16,023 sq. mi.Population 16,067,754CapitalAmsterdamLegal systemCivil law systemincorporating Frenchpenal theoryLanguageDutchReligion31% Roman catholic21% Protestant4.4% MuslimLife expectancy 79 yearsCritical Thinking Question Oregon is the only U.S. state that sanctions euthanasiafor terminally ill patients. Euthanasia has never been carried out in this state, however,because of court opposition. List some of the reasons why you think people wouldoppose euthanasia. Then state your opinion about euthanasia. Do you think itshould be legal or illegal? Why? For more information on the Netherlands, visitubpl.glencoe.com or your local library.764 Unit 7: Planning for the Future