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A controversial mobile euthanasia programme has been launched in the Netherlands, sending specialised teams door-to-door to help patients end their lives, The Independent reported. The project, which has provoked sharp criticism from doctors, is the brainchild of the Dutch largely donor-funded pro-mercy killing group Right to Die NL.
It follows the government's 2002 decision to legalise euthanasia, making the Netherlands the first country in the world to do so. Right to Die said it had received 70 phone calls from potential assisted suicide patients since the scheme was announced in early February. It said that its six teams expected to receive around 1,000 requests each year. The organisation stressed that its mobile units were comprised of doctors and nurses specially trained in performing assisted suicide at its clinic. It said the procedure involved injecting the patient first with a sleep-inducing drug and then with barbiturates to stop heart and lung function, according to the newspaper Friday.
Euthanasia, the practise of voluntarily ending one's life remains a burning issue around the globe. Many arguments have been given for and against euthanasia. The school of thought which is pro-euthanasia takes the stand that it remains a fundamental human right to end one's life especially when someone or their loved one is chronically ill and suffering. Anti-groups feel that allowing euthanasia could lead to a slippery slope resulting in non-voluntary and even involuntary deaths and suicides. There are various assisted dying organisations around the world which has actually given rise to a phenomena called 'suicide tourism' where patients visit countries that have legalized euthanasia for assisted suicide. One such organization that came under the media scanner recently was Dignitas, a Swiss assisted dying group where foreigners came to for assisted suicide.
Source: IANS