Assisted Suicide in Netherlands

Katherine Dowling (Commentary, Oct. 28) refers to the euthanasia practice in the Netherlands. I recently moved from that country, and though I certainly would not comment on all the prejudices that exist in this country about “liberal” policies in Holland, this article calls for a reaction.

Doctors in the Netherlands do not think that it is OK to suggest euthanasia to patients, unless there is a really serious situation. They call this “suffering without any prospect.” And they certainly do not suggest that “you should consider killing yourself” just like that. In the Netherlands, doctors, politicians and ordinary people struggle with this topic just as they do in the U.S.

Everybody can understand that there are many definition problems and matters of conscience here. But at the end of the day the question comes down to: What to do when suffering is so bad (inhuman) and there is indeed no light at the end of the tunnel? Though mostly thought of in the context of older people, this question can pop up at any age. It deserves more serious thoughts than pointing at some statistics and/or anecdotal evidence.

And, to Dowling, what is proper pain control?

JACK SPAAPEN

San Diego