Detail of Michelangelo’s Pieta: Christ’s face.
All over the world people still think that in the Netherlands euthanasia is common practice, despite the fact that, on April 1st, 2002 a law was passed with the goal to end illegal actions performed without medical supervision and the necessary treatment. One of the most important rules to respect when it comes to performing euthanasia is that the patient declares his or her wish to die in full lucidity and conviction, repeatedly, preferably with a previously drawn up will. Therefore, euthanasia cannot be performed on the demented elderly, children born with deformities or the handicapped. Also, the patient’s suffering must be unbearable and unable to be healed even with palliative care. Another essential factor needed in order to perform euthanasia is that the patient’s illness must be incurable, and that the illness is terminal. Finally, the patient should not be depressed because the desire to die may be temporary. If the patient meets all the legal conditions, the procedure is, before execution, reviewed by a specially trained doctor, a so-called SCEN-doctor.