BMJ  2008;336:1394-1395 (21 June), doi:10.1136/bmj.a362

News

Dutch doctors publish guide to "careful suicide"

Tony Sheldon

1 Utrecht

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

A group of Dutch doctors and researchers has made its detailed advice on suicide available to the general public. The Foundation for Scientific Research into Careful Suicide argues that "a requirement exists within society for responsible information about an independent and dignified ending of life."

The book, entitled Informatie over Zorgvuldige Levensbeëindiging (Information about the Careful Ending of Life), gives advice on refusing food and fluids and taking a combination of drugs to induce coma and death. It can only be ordered from the foundation’s website (www.wozz.nl).

The Dutch Medical Association says that the book offers a balance to the large amount of unreliable information available on the internet. It recognises that doctors may refer patients to the book as part of their obligation to provide information.

Research by the foundation indicates that despite Dutch euthanasia laws that permit doctors, acting within specific legal limits, to . . . [Full text of this article]


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Competent more than cautious
Hendrik J Beerstecher
bmj.com, 21 Jun 2008 [Full text]
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