The debate over euthanasia has only recently has been brought to the forefront of the American public. Euthanasia is a controversial topic that can and probably will affect all people on earth, alive and dead. Although euthanasia is often considered to be a form of murder, it requires a certain degree of understanding and compassion and can be very comforting.

In the middle of the debate over euthanasia is the small European country of the Netherlands. In an article for Europe, Roel Janssen stated, "According to a 1998 university study, 92% of the Dutch population support euthanasia" (41). Starting back in the mid seventies, lawyers in Holland fought for the rights of doctors, relatives, and patients of either terminally ill or euthanized patients.

Over the years they inched their way up to the point where the practice was generally accepted. In 1993 the Supreme Court f

Freedman, Benjamin. "Medical Ethics." The 1998 Canadian Encyclopedia 6 September 1997: n. pag. 4 November 1999. Online. Electric Library.

There is another debate amidst the euthanasia debate. Whether state or federal control would be better for euthanasia. Knickerbocker stated "Alaska Superior Court Judge Eric Sanders recently ruled that 'Alaskans do not have an undeniable right to physician-assisted suicide'" (1). Knickerbocker continues " . . . in every state but Oregon, ballot measures allowing such procedures have been turned down" (1).

Kilborn, Robert, Lance Carden, and Ross Atkin. "USA." Christian Science Monitor 29 October 1999: 24. 16 November 1999. Online. EBSCOhost.

In the summer of 1999, the Dutch government passed a law that formalizes the already-widespread practice of euthanasia. A recent column in Maclean's magazine reported that "The bill, expected to receive parliamentary approval . . . would be the only such law in the world . . . " ("World Notes" 21). The Dutch law allows doctors to assist the suicide of terminally ill people if they make a knowledgeable request. Maclean's adds, "Under the proposal, children as young as 12 could demand and receive euthanasia" ("World Notes" 21). Mike Corder wrote in the Des Moines Register "The plans were given a guarded welcome by the Netherlands Association for Voluntary Euthanasia . . . " (4). Corder adds "The new law also recognizes so-called 'euthanasia declarations,' documents in which patients state they want euthanasia even if they are no longer in a position to ask for it themselves - for example, if they are in a coma" (4). Janssen continued "It is thought that about two hundred thousand people (out of a population of sixteen million) carry a piece of paper declaring their wish to be helped to die in case there are no more prospects for a normal healthy life" (41-42).

Some common words found in the essay are:
Benjamin Freedman, Science Monitor, Lou Gerig's, Nickles Oklahoma, , Eric Sanders, Dent Darwin, Voluntary Euthanasia, Register Holland, Roel Janssen, november 1999, 1999 online, november 1999 online, assisted suicide, christian science monitor, mercy killing, science monitor, moines register, des moines, christian science, knickerbocker continues, des moines register, 16 november 1999, 1 knickerbocker, 1999 online ebscohost,
Approximate Word count = 1876
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)