Belgian euthanasia law: a critical analysis.

Some background information about the context of euthanasia in Belgium is presented, and Belgian law on euthanasia and concerns about the law are discussed. Suggestions as to how to improve the Belgian law and practice of euthanasia are made, and Belgian legislators and medical establishment are urged to reflect and ponder so as to prevent potential abuse.

An outsider's view of Dutch euthanasia policy and practice.

This article provides a critical analysis of Dutch euthanasia policy and practice. The research benefited from twenty-eight interviews conducted in the Netherlands during the summer of 1999 with some of the leading figures who dictate the decision-making process and take an active part in the debates. The discussion begins with a review of the two major Dutch reports on euthanasia and the conflicting views and interpretations offered by the literature. Next, I provide some data about the interviews, and then analysis indicating that the Dutch Guidelines on the policy and practice of euthanasia do not provide ample mechanisms against abuse. I argue that the Dutch Guidelines are insufficient, do not provide adequate control over the practice of euthanasia, and that the entire policy should be revised and made more coherent and more comprehensive.

"Culture of death" in The Netherlands: Dutch perspectives.

During the summer of 1999, extensive interviews with some of the leading authorities on euthanasia policy were conducted in the Netherlands. They were asked: Daniel Callahan argues that there is a 'culture of death' in the Netherlands. What do you think? The majority of interviewees disagreed with the statement. They said that the Netherlands is not fundamentally different than other countries. If at all, the Dutch culture is open and tolerant, welcomes debates and plurality of views, and physicians are decent people who wish to help their patients, not to kill them. A small minority acknowledged that there is some truth in Callahan's observations, arguing that the Dutch actually do not welcome critique and are quite conservative in their liberal attitude toward euthanasia.

Dutch perspectives on the British Medical Association's critique of euthanasia in the Netherlands.

During the summer of 1999, extensive interviews with some of the leading authorities on the euthanasia policy were conducted in the Netherlands. They were asked: The British Medical Association, in its memorandum before the House of Lords, held that in regard to Holland, "all seem to agree that the so-called rules of careful conduct (official guidelines for euthanasia) are disregarded in some cases. Breaches of rules range from the practice of involuntary euthanasia to failure to consult another practitioner before carrying out euthanasia and to certifying the cause of death as natural". What do you think? Most of the interviewees conceded that this assertion is, indeed, correct. Two interviewees didn't pay much notice to the issue and three others said that the British critique is both true and untrue.

Can life be evaluated? The Jewish Halachic approach vs. the quality of life approach in medical ethics: a critical view.

In recent years there has been an increase in the number of requests for "mercy killings" by patients and their relatives. Under certain conditions, the patient may prefer death to a life devoid of quality. In contrast to those who uphold this "quality of life" approach, those who hold the "sanctity of life" approach claim that life has intrinsic value and must be preserved regardless of its quality. This essay describes these two approaches, examines their flaws, and offers a "golden path" between the two extreme positions. We discuss the halachic and the secular views, arguing for a balance between the sanctity of life and the quality of life. We argue that, indeed, such a balance exists in practice, and that life is important, but it is not sacred. Life can be evaluated, but quality of life is not the sole criterion.

[The decision-making process of abortion high committees].

Factors influencing the decision-making process of the Abortions High Committees (after the 23rd week of pregnancy), and whether there are differences between decisions of different Committees were examined. A questionnaire was sent to the 45 members of these committees of whom 24 responded (53%). Some hospitals refused to cooperate because they did not want to evoke discussion about the practices of the Committees. The significant factors that play a part in the decision as to whether or not to allow an abortion are the medical condition of the fetus, the medical and psychological state of the mother, and the week of pregnancy. The data also show that women committee members are more inclined to authorize abortion than men, and that the more religious members are less inclined to authorize abortions. No differences were found between hospitals, and the age of committee members had no influence. Members did not accord any importance to fear of litigation in their considerations.

The Israel Press Council: review and suggestions for improvement.

The aim of this essay is to review the work of the Israel Press Council. The essay considers the history of the Press Council, analysing the way it has developed, its work, and how it reached its current status. It is argued that the existing situation is far from satisfactory, and that the media should advance more elaborate mechanisms of self-control, empowering the Press Council with greater authority and equipping it with substantive ability to sanction.

Some observations on post-coma unawareness patients and on other forms of unconscious patients: policy proposals.

The concern of this paper is with various forms of unconsciousness. Special attention will be given to patients in PCU commonly termed as Persistent Vegetative State (PVS). I reject the term PVS, arguing that for ethical reasons we should strive to resort to terminology that does not offend the patients and their loved ones. I further urge hospitals not to cease treatment of PCU patients younger than 50 years old within a period of less than two years. This is especially true for patients who entered a state of unawareness due to traumatic causes. The two-years waiting period should be regarded as the minimum period of evaluation before foregoing hopes for patients' rehabilitation and return to some form of cognition. I provide data and human stories from the Israeli experience to substantiate this argument.

Spatial relationship between anatomic landmarks in edentulous patients: a radiographic study.

In 67 edentulous patients the crests of the residual ridges, the incisive papillae, the maxillary tuberosities, and the mandibular retromolar pads were located and identified with metallic wires inside the acrylic resin denture bases. Occlusal cephalometric radiographs were used to record the spatial relationship between the described anatomic landmarks in the dentures with the mandible in centric relation.