-Caveat Lector- <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/"> </A> -Cui Bono?- Netherlands And Euthanasia 06:32AM Tue Apr 04 2000 NZST http://www.xtra.co.nz/homepage/news/main/0,1081,News%3AWorld+News%3A168766,0 0.html? Karen Iley AMSTERDAM, April 3 (Reuters) - Campaigners are predicting that euthanasia and assisted suicide will soon become legal in the Netherlands -- for anyone aged 12 and upwards. If a bill now before parliament is passed, it will make the Netherlands the first country to legalise mercy killing. "I think during the course of this year, and even possibly before the summer, the second chamber (lower house) will address the issue and vote in favour," Jacob Kohnstamm, new chairman of the Dutch Voluntary Euthanasia Society (DVES), told foreign journalists on Monday. The Dutch have tolerated mercy killings for years, but with the possibility of doctors being prosecuted for murder under the penal code, the bill aims to remove a legal grey area. However, the clause to allow euthanasia for children without parental consent has proved highly controversial. The DVES argues that a 1995 bill giving girls aged 12 to 15 the same right to an abortion as adults, without parental consent, met similar opposition before passing. "If you think of a child who has cancer, who has gone through medical treatment, when they're 14 or 15 years old they tend to be more mature than most of the people I meet in one day," said Kohnstamm, a lawyer and member of the upper house. "All doctors concerned say it is very rare for parents and kids not to want the same thing." But the Royal College of Physicians in the Netherlands says this means the clause is unnecessary, and the Dutch organisation for parents of children with cancer agrees. The Netherlands are already seen as liberal in areas such as drugs, pornography and gay rights, and some fear the bill will spur an influx of people seeking to end their lives. Kohnstamm rejected the idea: "This is not possible at all. There is no relation between the patient and the doctor, the doctor cannot see the history of the case, and maybe can't even talk the same language. 'Euthanasia tourism'? No way." The bill sets out strict guidelines. It insists the patient must have made a voluntary, well-considered and lasting request, and face a future of unremitting and unbearable suffering. The doctor must have told the patient about his situation and prospects and reached the firm conclusion that there is no reasonable alternative. A second physician must be consulted and the life must be ended in a medically appropriate way. Latest data from the DVES show 3,600 deaths in 1995 from euthanasia or assisted suicide -- where the doctor supplies the drugs but does not administer them. This number includes deaths not reported to the coroner -- about 59 percent of cases. <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soap-boxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'�with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds�is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
