'Mobile' Euthanasia Teams Proposed By Dutch 'Right-To-Die' Group

AMSTERDAM -- The main Dutch euthanasia advocacy group says it supports creating "mobile" euthanasia teams of doctors for terminally ill patients who want to die in their own homes, rather than in a hospital.

The Netherlands legalized euthanasia in 2001 in cases where patients are suffering unbearable pain due to illness with no hope of recovery.

Spokeswoman Walburg de Jong of The Right To Die said Wednesday the idea is a logical extension of its plan – not approved by the government – to create a clinic for patients who meet the criteria for euthanasia but whose doctors are unwilling to carry it out.

The number of reported euthanasia cases in the Netherlands rose 19 percent in 2010 to 3,136. A parliamentary-appointed commission is reviewing current policy.

Comments

[Susan Perl]

11:54 AM on 01/05/2012

The Right to Die movement is surging in 2012. Read more at www.afterthoughtsblog.com.
Thank you for this reporting.
-Susan Fried Perl

[lets hope]

06:38 PM on 11/19/2011

This is good news for the very ill, who want to die at there home with Loved one around them, But it also should be there for people who for there own reason or reasons just want to die, It's there body, there life, No one should be told when they live or die... it's matter of there own choice, but for the ill, no one should be left in pain just because the Doctors dont want to do there jobs... What do they get payed for !!!! all work has its good side, and its bad side.

[T3llur1de]

02:03 AM on 11/17/2011

The problem with so-called "right to die" legislation is that it encompasses ALL of society, not just the terminally ill who've given up. That means Holland also supports euthanasia for people who are depressed, who are mentally handicapped, and even for infants! To say nothing of elderly patients murdered without their consent. Deal death, and death loves to spread. This mobile team is just the next wave of the "Death Panels" Sarah Palin once alluded to.

Meanwhile, the incentive for medical research suffers. Why strive to cure or prevent diseases when doctors could feel encouraged to kill their patients? Where's the medical progress in any of this falsely-labeled, misplaced "compassion"? Progress needs to be encouraged in developing new-generation treatments, so we work toward the day when cancer, ALS and other serious diseases lose their current power of fear over human lives. Euthanasia, by its offer of expediency, will undercut those developments. Maybe even retard or stop them.

Who'd want treatment from a medical professional who's a known killer? That's the problem for abortionists -- they're frequently regarded as losers by the rest of the medical profession. Religious people should certainly be heard on this issue: we like everyone live in this society, and we too should have a say in the direction it's heading.

[GOODDOC1]

03:45 AM on 11/17/2011

In Holland, euthansia is only legal for terminally ill patients who want to die. It is not something for depression, mentally handicapped or children. The patient must request this assistance, the doctor doesn't just kill whoever he or she pleases. Assisted suicide will not stifle efforts to cure or prevent diseases. It will only assure that if a person is in so much pain that they cannot tolerate it, they will not be forced to live with that pain because they are unable to end their lives themseves. If a doctor has moral or spiritual issues with assisting witha suicide, they can refer the patient to someone else. I'm terminally ill. Right now I am able to handle the pain, and the good days are pretty much outnumbering the bad. When the time comes, if I can't handle it anymore, I may commit suicide myself -- I have the means. Knowing that I will not be forced to live in excruciating pain gives me hope, which may prolong my life -- and will definately prolong my QUALITY of life. Everyone should have the right to make that decision for themselves.

[Star37]

07:35 AM on 11/17/2011

In Holland, what is legal and what it has become are two very different things. What you state is not what is occuring in ever increasing numbers.

There are many facts reported from countries who have done this for years that do not substantiate your opinions.

I am sorry for your pain and situation. I applaude your courage and perseverence in living. Dr. Garry Gordon may have some helpful info you can benefit from. You will find his bio inspiring. www.GordonResearch.com

[T3llur1de]

06:33 PM on 11/18/2011

"Everyone should have the right to make that decision for themselves." Well, we all have the FREEDOM to opt for suicide. The problem with legalizing euthanasia is that it's the law for us all, whether we would have it or not. Worse, it gives sanction to the next round of twisted medics, the successors to Jack Kevorkian and Harold Shipman, who could use the change of legal climate as encouragement to relax their self-restraint.

[Star37]

01:19 AM on 11/17/2011

There is no dignity, Shirley Carr, in jeopardizing millions of other people's lives with unwanted death so you can have death by someone else instead of yourself...Just want to committ murder while making it look like it is not your responsibility.

You can already commit suicide without making someone else's life choice nullified.

Too many people in positions of power to take another's life are not trustable to honour my right to life if covered by laws to do otherwise. They already violate healthy persons deceitfully using their power of position. Europe 1930's & 40's is alive and well for years already. Dignify society with all the life support legally possible.

[GOODDOC1]

03:48 AM on 11/17/2011

No one is forcing the Physicians in Holland to assist with any suicides if they do not wish to do so. No one is forcing anyone to die without their consent. You have the right to decide to do what you want. Please give the rest of that same right.

[Star37]

07:24 AM on 11/17/2011

This is fallacy! There are well documented reports to the opposite. Many lives are taken by doctors/nurses in Holland against the patient's wishes or with no choice.

[GOODDOC1]

02:44 PM on 11/17/2011

Star, your statement is entirely untrue. If you had facts, you would have provided links to reputable sources.

[Metropolitan Stephan]

03:50 PM on 11/16/2011

Living in the U.S.A. suffering 10 yrs with a illness that can not be treated Unless you must live this way please do not JUDGE US WHO DO PLEASE! A day in my shoes you would understand what I mean and surely agree to this.I wish I could speak to group who are not for this,perhaps to hear my story they would have a change of heart,willing to travel to speak to groups contact me so I can help anyone who needs understanding of living in PAIN REALLY MEANS. email,( [e-mail].)
I hold a Phd.DD.Ma. Bth.Jcd.Professional Public Speaker and started a Hospice Program,prior to the founding of Hospice working with patients and families prior to being admitted to a long term center,never thinking I would be facing the same one day.The most important issue is nothing more than education, Dr's,nurse.Social workers anyone who must care for a loved one suffering from a terminal illness and yes the person who is suffering most important of all,they must understand that others do understand their plight and willing to help.I HOPE TO BE HEARING FROM YOU SOON.The most important advise for those who are suffering is there a so, so, many people that understand, but yes I KNOW IT IS YOU THAT SUFFER AND NOT THEM.
Have Faith and Hope, I hope to speak to many of you very soon.

Dr.Stephan DD .Phd. (But most of all Compassion!)

[GOODDOC1]

03:49 AM on 11/17/2011

Thank you for your post, and for your compassion.

[Carol Loving]

03:15 PM on 11/16/2011

This is something we need in the united states, as opposed to the medical tyranny that rules our end of life experience.
carol loving, author
My Son, My Sorrow: The Tragic Tale of Dr. Kevorkian's Youngest Patient

[Carabella1]

02:12 PM on 11/16/2011

I applaud the Dutch for helping people die with dignity. Finally. People are thinking about quality of life vs. religious dogma.

[GOODDOC1]

03:51 AM on 11/17/2011

QUALITY of life is much more important than QUANTITY of life.

[SHIRLEY CARR]

01:23 PM on 11/16/2011

Hooray for The Right to Die..if I'm in a state of terminal illness with unbearable pain and no chance of recovery WITH the fact I have no family to speak of, wouldn't it be cheaper to let me go thru euthansia rather than try and prolong a life that is not feasibly prolongable? Let me go so doctors and hospitals don't incur unnecessay outstanding bills that have long past the point of being paid by my insurance coverage/Medicare. Just euthanize me and ship my body to the nearest Teaching Hospital for R&D after any good organs are salvageable for donation.