Netherlands

The Netherlands have legalized assisted suicide and euthanasia for over two decades. The Dutch law states that a patient with unrelievable pain may make a voluntary request for an eased death. The physician must first go to the authorities to report the case before taking any action. Studies have shown that half of the doctors suggested the use of euthanasia to the patient, which goes against the voluntariness of the process. Regulation was also made impossible due to the fact that only about 50% of the cases were even reported. The Netherlands have since created hospices trained in palliative care.

Alternative method

Assited suicide and the use of euthanasia are poorly looked upon among the general public. There is an alternative method called palliative care. Palliative care is referred to as a treatment to relieve, rather than cure, symptoms caused by some diseases. Physicians trained in this care can reduce the severity of the disease and allow some patients to live more comfortably. Many physicians, who are now trained in palliative care, have expressed their regrets for using the assisted suicide method on an patient.