New data from regional euthanasia regulatory committees indicate that euthanasia rates in the Netherlands rose 13% in the last year (to 4188).

The slippery slope argument against legalizing euthanasia is gathering empirical support. New data from regional euthanasia regulatory committees indicate that euthanasia rates in the Netherlands rose 13% in the last year (to 4188).

The rate of euthanasia in the Netherlands has risen consecutively for the past six years. In 2006 the number of patients euthanized was 1923, well under half the 2012 rate.

With the recent introduction of mobile euthanasia vans, the increase is expected to continue.

Most of the requests for the procedure  – 78% or 3251 – came from cancer suffers. Those suffering from nervous system disorders were in second place, 257, followed by the euthanasia of 156 people suffering from cardiovascular disease.

Bioethicist Wesley Smith has claimed real rates of euthanasia are much higher. Drawing upon studies from the Lancet about unreported euthanasia, as well as other considerations, he claimed “the actual rate of euthanasia in which patients are under a doctor’s “care” is at least 6 percent.” Christian Medical Fellowship CEO Peter Saunders has made a similar claim. 

Xavier Symons
Creative commons
euthanasia
Netherlands