The Dutch law allowing euthanasia under certain sharply-defined circumstances often raises eyebrows abroad. And it gives rise to countless unfounded allegations.

The criticism is often made in foreign media that euthanasia is too easy in the Netherlands. The elderly are said to fear for their lives in Dutch hospitals. A Dutch clinic where people tired of living can have their lives terminated is apparently going to open its doors soon. These of course are bogus reports, but what exactly is the real state of play?

Myth 1: Euthanasia is really easy is in the Netherlands (as claimed by Lifenews)

In April it will be a decade since the Dutch law allowing doctors to perform euthanasia was passed. A patient is required to ask for the procedure specifically and be the victim of unbearable suffering - having an incurable disease, for example - or of hopeless psychological problems. All cases of euthanasia have to be registered with special review committees.

Performing euthanasia and assisting suicide are in principle illegal, with a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison. The procedure is only allowed if the doctor has fulfilled the legal requirements.

Myth 2: Elderly Dutch people prefer to go to hospitals abroad for fear of being murdered by doctors in hospitals in the Netherlands

Dutch hospitals are not allowed to end people's lives. Dutch people do sometimes go abroad for treatment but this is to avoid being put on a waiting list and get certain operations or treatments more quickly.

in a hospital environment?? what about nurses??? they are told to do various procedures if they don't they can be fired

the thing is you are pushing responsibility for one's death onto doctors and many who are believers wouldn't want to have such a responsibility (cause they see it as a murder

800,000 Poles have recently arrived in the UK

In that case, I'd like the doctors to keep my body (or the body of someone from my family) alive indefinitely. For decades, if possible.

People get better when odds are greatly against them. Medicine advances.

morphine doesn;t in treatment doses

Euthanasia is an easy way out, it is too easy,

noone even if terminally ill wants to die after their pain is relieved

euthanasia because someone has become a burden is horrible

In which country are people given better housing from the state when they have lots of children?

About 800,000 Poles have recently arrived in Britain

This was a reference to the Dutch Patients' Association (NPV), which has 70,000 members of whom at least 6,000 have "living will declarations" stating that they do not want euthanasia if they are taken into hospital or a nursing home.
Other Dutch people, however, make written declarations of their "will to die

If you take a look at what critera is needed to preform euthanasia in the neatherlands, you would realize it is not some Alice in wonderland Queen screaming "off with his head!"

About 800,000 Poles have recently arrived in Britain

more Polish women are choosing to stay there to have children

filthy liars

You can not bake pierogi which have a dough for boiling.

What about the economic migrants oversea's?

yes, being alone in Sopot on a telephone line constanly

So, being in Sopot prevents him from doing any work? Is Warsaw somehow the only place he could function as a prime minister?

But the dog looks disgusted! :):):):)

What happened to freedom?

So everybody just drives drunk and hopes they don't get caught

please don't tell us that someone who is sh..-faced can operate a motor vehicle safely.
it just doesn't work that way

such as cutting krus