EuthaNEWSia (www.euthanewsia.ca)

Anne-Marie The is an anthropologist and lawyer specializing in end-of-life issues. Her new book on the history of euthanasia in the Netherlands, entitled Verlossers naast God ("Redeemer under God") was published last week. "There is the euthanasia law and then there is euthanasia reality," she says. "To think that we have neatly arranged everything by adopting the euthanasia law is an illusion. Reality is more complicated than that: every patient, every situation and every doctor is different."

"In the end it all comes down to people," says The. "Euthanasia is between a doctor and his patient. There is no use denying that. It is remarkable, for instance, how differently doctors deal with euthanasia. One doctor will bring it up himself, another will avoid the subject as long as he or she can. When it does come up it is up to the doctor to figure out what the patient really wants. In the end he has to 'feel' if euthanasia is the right solution, if the patient's suffering is really 'hopeless and unbearable'. That involves having lots of conversations with the patients and their loved ones so that together they grow convinced of the necessity of euthanasia and the logical moment to do the deed."

Question: Will palliative care replace euthanasia?
"No, there will always be people who want complete control over their life and death. But the balance is better. The road towards euthanasia is less narrow now; there is more palliative care before a doctor and a patient turn to euthanasia. But there is still a lot of room for improving palliative care. Doctors have to receive better training. Patients often ask for euthanasia out of fear, but than can change if they are placed in a different environment."

[Note: Some other recent stories related to this topic are in the Links: section below.]

To read the full article click on one of these links, both of which go to the same destination. A short link is provided for the convenience of readers. Also, readers may search and browse past advisories on the web (see bottom.)

Luyendijk, Wubby. "Euthanasia law is no cure-all for Dutch doctors". NRC Handelsblad. Changed: 1 December 2009 13:10. <www.nrc.nl/international/Features/article2425897.ece/Euthanasia_law_is_no_cure-all_for_Dutch_doctors>. NRC Handelsblad, Marten Meesweg 35 Postbus 8986, Rotterdam, Zuid Holland NL-3068 AV Netherlands.

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The EuthaNEWSia ID for this advisory is: enid200912039645.
Mailed: Thursday, December 3, 2009 14:24:53 -0600
at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

EuthaNEWSia is a free Canadian news advisory service covering end-of-life issues such as right to die, assisted suicide, and euthanasia. EuthaNEWSia is produced by the Right to Die Society of Canada which works toward a good death for all, including open, regulated and equitable access to euthanasia and assisted suicide. The editor is Michael Dawson <editor@euthanewsia.ca>.

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