The law being established may have been seen by some to violate human dignity and take away the true essence of life. But whether for or against euthanasia, with this new law taking effect, the medical profession needs to be careful the practice of euthanasia isn't abused and the patients requesting the physician-assisted suicide are of sound mind and fully comprehend their decision. Abuse can be defined in numerous terms, but the practicing physician should be able to determine this case by case. There are numerous ways this can be handled, and one of the best ways would be by enforcing monitoring regulations on the patient and physician. This bill passed by a vote of 104-40, but still needs the approval of the Dutch Senate, and is expected to take effect next year.
Doctors honor about one-third of assisted suicide requests in the Netherlands each year.
Euthanasia remains illegal in the United States. However, in 1994, Oregon voters approved doctor-assisted suicide. Last month, the House of Representatives passed a bill that would restrict the practice, but President Bill Clinton has threatened to veto the bill. While Holland would mandate a long term patient-doctor relationship before mercy killing is performed, the country's medical professionals must make sure the practice is not abused and the law's guidelines are followed. T O P 2000, University of South Florida The Oracle Newspaper.