Euthanasia in the Netherlands: The Role of the Dutch Medical Profession

Abstract

...So far the RDMA [Royal Dutch Medical Association] is the only professional medical organization that holds the view that in particular cases euthanasia is morally acceptable. However, viewed within the context of Dutch society, the Dutch system of healthcare, and the socio-cultural approach to moral questions in The Netherlands, the RDMA point of view ceases to be reprehensible. On the basis of these particular Dutch circumstances the RDMA was able to publish its point of view on euthanasia in 1984. Since then the RDMA has remained an influential factor in policymaking on euthanasia in The Netherlands. One of the reasons for this is that the legal approach to euthanasia always has given ample consideration to the viewpoints of medical ethics. The General Board of the RDMA has clearly accepted the task to articulate these medical ethics in a thorough and balanced manner. The fundamentals of the RDMA viewpoint and policy on euthanasia (and assisted suicide) can be summarized with three concepts: respect for human dignity, accountability, and scrupulousness. These concepts are obviously associated with more detailed questions and aspects of euthanasia, and these will also be referred to.