t others argue they will die sooner or later. Why let them die and suffer the pain, when they can feel they still have control and die with dignity.The debate over physician assisted death is a small, but important, part of a broader effort to give the dying better pain relief, more understanding, and more choices. Most dying patients will find dignity and adequate relief through comfort care (Quill A11). This puts emphasis on human contact, relieving symptoms and enhancing a patients quality of life. For the same reasons as above, the Dutch move to enact a law which makes euthanasia easier. The Dutch Parliament approved, on Tuesday, February 8; the worlds least restrictive euthanasia policy. Establishing specific rules that would allow a doctor to assist in a suicide or kill a terminally ill patient at the patients request. Although ending a patients life or helping in suicide is illegal, and would remain part of the criminal code, the new rule will protect doctors prosecution if they notify the coroner of any death they have brought on and provide a detailed account of the circumstances. Dutch courts have condoned Euthanasia and doctor-assisted suicides for more than a decade. Prosecutions have been rare under the Dutch Parliaments rule. Under the pre- existing law, the maximum sentence was 3 to 12 years in prison, depending on the form of death, but no doctor had ever gone to prison in such cases. Interviews with relatives, physicians, health inspectors and lawyers who had been involved in euthanasia suggest that the decision to bring on death is usually reached after long and agonizing discussions. Several doctors said they found the experience difficult and draining. But many Dutch physicians say they believe that when death is near, suffering need not be prolonged unnecessarily and that people have a right to take charge and die in dignity (Simons A9). Dignity and the freedom to choose w...
