Science Today Obituaries Health A protester outside Dutch government buildings in The Hague yesterday, as the upper house of parliament ratified new laws permitting euthanasia in the Netherlands under certain conditions. The new law means that doctors who help patients to die under strict conditions will be immune from prosecution. Until now technically they faced up to 12 years' imprisonment if it was found they had strayed from existing guidelines.
Legislation also recognises for the first time the validity of written requests to die.
Patients allowed euthanasia must face continuous suffering and make a voluntary and lasting request. Doctors must have informed patients about their prospects and reached the conclusion there is no reasonable alternative. All cases will automatically be referred to the coroner and a review committee comprising a doctor, an ethics specialist and a lawyer. The lower house of the Dutch parliament voted by a large majority last year to legalise euthanasia, and the approval of the upper house was seen as a formality. The liberal left Green Party joined the CDA in voicing concern that doctors and nurses who were against mercy killing could find themselves pressurised to assist in cases.