In Belgium, 1.7% of all deaths involve 'non-voluntary' euthanasia
June 11, 2015
Nearly 2% of all the people who die each year in Belgium are euthanized without their request or consent, according to a new study published in the Journal of Medical Ethics.
Belgium has been a pioneer in allowing physician-assisted suicide, and extending the practice to allow for doctors to administer lethal drugs to patients who are judged unable to make the decision for themselves.
In 2007, the study found, 1.8% of all Belgian deaths involved euthanasia without the patient’s request or consent. In 2013 the figure was 1.7%.
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Further information:
- Almost 2% of All People Who Die in Belgium are Patients Euthanized Without Consent (LifeNews)
- First do no harm: intentionally shortening lives of patients without their explicit request in Belgium (Journal of Medical Ethics)
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