Medizinethik und Kultur: Grenzen medizinischen Handelns in Deutschland und den Niederlanden (review)

Abstract

Since April 2002, the Netherlands is the first country in the world with a legal arrangement concerning euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. The new law is the outcome of a political discussion of almost three decades, in which euthanasia became ever-more-accepted as a medical intervention, on the patient's request, in cases of unendurable suffering. Ethical and legal developments concerning euthanasia in the Netherlands have been followed closely by other countries. One country that was highly interested, but also very skeptical, was Germany. For the Germans, the notion of euthanasia is linked to the history of the Second World War. The concept itself is not used in public debate—the preferred term is "aktive Sterbehilfe" (active assistance in dying). Most politicians and medical doctors regard this type of intervention as an improper medical action. They often refer to "the Dutch example" as a way of dealing with end-of-life issues that is not at all suitable for the German situation.