Euthanasia dilemma: Dutch doctor forced patient to follow through with death wish [View all]

[True Dough]

I am an advocate of euthanasia, but this case is a tough one. I mean, if someone of sound mind declares that they are most certainly prepared to die but then that person later, while possibly suffering from dementia, resists the act of euthanasia, what should be done?

This is what happened in Holland recently...

A Dutch woman doctor who asked an elderly patient's family to hold her down while she administered a fatal drug dose has been cleared under Holland's euthanasia laws.

Mailonline reported that the patient fought desperately in an attempt not to be killed.

Jacob Kohnstamm, chairman of the Regional Review Committee, which considered the case, said: "I am convinced that the doctor acted in good faith, and we would like to see more clarity on how such cases are handled in the future."

As a result, the case will be considered by Dutch courts to clarify the law over whether doctors who carry out euthanasia on patients with dementia should face prosecution if they acted in good faith. In this case, the woman, who was suffering from dementia, had earlier expressed a desire to have her life ended when she felt the "time was right".

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/01/28/panel-clears-dutch-doctor-asked-family-hold-patient-carried/