MEPs try to mobilise public opinion against extension of euthanasia

doi:10.1136/bmj.322.7287.638/c

BMJ 2001;322:638 ( 17 March )

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MEPs try to mobilise public opinion against extension of euthanasia

Rory Watson Brussels

European politicians are being urged to oppose plans to extend the practice of euthanasia in the Netherlands and Belgium. The controversial issue is currently on the parliamentary agenda in both countries.

The Dutch Senate is due to decide on the bill, which already has the support of the parliament�s second chamber (the equivalent of the House of Commons). At stake are proposals to liberalise existing legislation, in particular to allow children aged 12-16 years to ask for euthanasia and for those aged 16-18 to do so without requiring parental consent.

The new bill places euthanasia outside the Dutch penal code when doctors follow a specified administrative procedure. This would be supervised, not as in the past by the public prosecutor, but by a public committee consisting of a doctor, a lawyer, and an ethics expert (BMJ 2000;321:1433).

Shortly after the Netherlands' consideration of . . . [Full text of this article]

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