Ethics

"Euthanasia" is today the most intensively discussed and divisive topic in medical ethics. This review summarizes the present state of the question, the events that precipitated it, the arguments on both sides, and the ethical assumptions behind those arguments. There are several construals of the termeuthanasia, but only two will be considered herein: active euthanasia, ie, the intentional termination of a patient's life by a physician, with or without the patient's consent, and assisted suicide, ie, the provision by a physician of the means by which patients can end their own lives.¹Passive euthanasia, ie, withholding or withdrawing life-support measures, is outside the scope of this review.²Since the aim of the Contempo series is to survey pertinent literature, I will not argue my own position. Any study of euthanasia must examine current social policy in the Netherlands. A decade ago this country became the first in