What is it about?
Some background information about the context of euthanasia in Belgium is presented, and Belgian law on euthanasia and concerns about the law are discussed. Suggestions as to how to improve the Belgian law and practice of euthanasia are made, and Belgian legislators and medical establishment are urged to reflect and ponder so as to prevent potential abuse. This study is based on a critical review of the literature supplemented by interviews I conducted in Belgium with leading scholars and practitioners in February 2003 and February 2005 about the practice of euthanasia. I first provide background information about euthanasia in Belgium and then discuss its law on euthanasia and voice some concerns, suggesting some constructive ideas to improve the practice of euthanasia.
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Why is it important?
Matters of life and death are very important. Belgium is the second country in the world to legislate euthanasia
Perspectives
This is the second in a series of articles on the Belgium euthanasia policy. It supplements “Euthanasia Policy and Practice in Belgium: Critical Observations and Suggestions for Improvement”, Issues in Law and Medicine, Vol. 24, No. 3 (Spring 2009), pp. 187-218. The article is based on extensive literature review and fieldwork in Belgium.
Professor Raphael Cohen-Almagor
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Belgian euthanasia law: a critical analysis, Journal of Medical Ethics, June 2009, BMJ,
DOI: 10.1136/jme.2008.026799.
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