A newly proposed law in the Netherlands could allow healthy, older adults to be euthanized. The Dutch are known for their liberalism, but this proposal has caused a bit of a stir among the population. Many think the person should at least be in pain to end their life, but this law would allow anyone to do so if they felt they had completed life. Proponents say that such people should have the right to end their life if they want to and in the way they want to.
Euthanasia isn’t very common in a lot of countries because it violates cultural norms and is met with harsh opposition. However, the liberal Netherlands utilize euthanasia a lot. In 2015, about 4% of the deaths in their country were the result of euthanasia.
This proposed law leads to a number of questions. How old do patients have to be? Does the family have a say? How will conditions apply to patients with waning mental capacities or memories? Do social circumstances change their ability to choose? Should someone who is just lonely be able to choose to be euthanized? The list of questions goes on and on and will likely continue to be debated around the world.
BYU Kennedy Center Live 
Euthanization is a difficult topic. If it only affected the patient, it would be one thing. But it effects the family and friends of the patient–probably haunting them long afterwards on if it was the right decision, on what they could have done differently for their loved one to still be here–and the doctor who performs the euthanization. Even if the patient is willing, the guilt of taking another’s life is likely to cause severe trauma. What if a person is experiencing depression and decides to end their life, but if they had remained here, their depression would’ve decreased significantly in the next few months? Questions like that leave a lot to be discussed.
Along with increasing the discussion of euthanasia, people should also be examining what makes people want to end their lives early in the first place. If it’s mental health issues, investment in resources to help those struggling should be increased. If it’s another culturally phenomenon, the government may also be able to counteract some of those beliefs.
Obviously a very sticky and multi-faceted topic, I’m glad to see the discussion of euthanization in the Netherlands. I can see benefits from this new law, and also some devastating consequences. Not knowing much about the discussions that went into making this law, I can only hope that regulations were set in place that take into account the individual’s age, mental health, physical health, family members, friends, and the physicians who would be required to carry out the euthanizations.
I have to agree with the previous commentator. I think having a discussion about euthanasia is important and critical to have. I am very curious about this law concerning how a person can qualify to be euthanized. When would it be unacceptable for a person to be able to end their life? Would they need to pass a psychological examination? Would their background need to be checked? Would the poor be more likely to use this than the wealthy to alleviate debts? There are lot of questions I would be interested in seeing discussed especially since death-phobic U.S. could benefit greatly from this discussion.
In America we call this, assisted suicide, and it is going to be voted upon in a few western states this election cycle. Of course from the church’s point of view, it is suicide so it shouldn’t be legal or allowed. But at the same time, we all have our agency. Everyone can make their own decisions and ultimately, I think that the individuals happiness and quality of life trump all else. This is interesting because the popular movie/novel Me Before You deals with this exact topic and I think it has made some people more passionate and informed about this issue.
In my mind, euthanasia is a form of suicide. It’s a painless, and an “easy-out.” I am in no position to judge whether or not this topic is appropriate, because of my limited experience with any type of suicide. However, I know that for me to see a loved one dance with the idea of euthanasia would absolutely wreck me. My heart breaks for the family members and friends of those that choose to end their lives for whatever reason. Why should a healthy, capable adult have the option to escape their problems? To me, again in my limited experience with the topic, it seems selfish and lazy. But I cannot speak for those struggling with mental/physical disorders.
If you haven’t seen the movie or read the book, “Me Before You,” I would highly recommend go seeing/reading it. It changed my thoughts concerning Euthanasia. The basic just of the film/book is a man considers the concept of ending his life through euthanasia because he has been paralyzed from the neck down for most of his life. The film changed my outlook on euthanasia because imagine if you were this man, would you consider ending your life too? Euthanasia in these cases I think it okay to do, however regarding the article I don’t think anyone should just be able to walk into a doctor’s office and ask them to end their life. There is a ton of questions that are raised regarding euthanasia the question is where does the line draw in people that can or can not have this procedure done to them.