News
Dutch doctors adopt guidelines on mercy killing of newborns
BMJ 2005; 331 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.331.7509.126-a (Published 14 July 2005) Cite this as: BMJ 2005;331:126- Tony Sheldon
- Utrecht
Dutch paediatricians have voted unanimously to adopt as national guidelines the so called Groningen protocol that covers the mercy killing of newborn babies who are incurably sick and are suffering severely. The Dutch Paediatric Society accepted that “in exceptional circumstances and under strict conditions… deliberate ending of life” of such newborns “can be an acceptable option.”
The protocol gives exact details of the requirements doctors must follow and includes the mandatory reporting of all cases. The local protocol drawn up at Groningen University Hospital last autumn caused an international outcry. Its clinical director of paediatrics, Eduard Verhagen, told the BMJ at the time, “It is …
Sign in
Log in using your username and password
Log in through your institution
Article Access
Article access for 1 day
The PDF version can be downloaded as your personal record
* prices do not include VAT
