Dutch politicians could let healthy over-75s choose to die

Dutch politicians are expected to debate relaxing euthanasia lehgislation to permit elderly people to choose to die if they undergo six months of counselling.

It comes after recent survey of 20,000 citizens found 86 per cent supported legalising euthanasia for healthy over-75-year-olds, provided they had consultations with medical professionals first.

The Netherlands was the first country in the world to legalise euthanasia in 2002. 

Under existing laws, it is only legal for people who are terminally ill or suffering from unbearable pain with no prospect of improvement.

Politicians there are divided over the proposal - some want the minimum age reduced and others oppose the idea outright.

According to a report in the Telepgraph, the Dutch Medical Association has warned that some elderly people wanting to die could be suffering from depression or loneliness.

The survey by the RTL broadcaster found that more than half of respondents - 53 per cent - could imagine choosing euthanasia if they considered their life to be complete.

More than 9.000 people died by euthanasia or assisted dying in the Netherlands in 2023, which was a four per cent increase on the previous year. 

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About 90 per cent of them suffered from serious conditions such as cancer, heart or lung disease or nervous system problems.

Five people under 30 with autism were euthanised in the Netherlands in recent years. Rising numbers of euthanasia cases in the Netherlands have raised concerns about legalising assisted dying in the UK.

Robert Clarke, a legal counsel specialising in cases at the European Court of Human Rights, said: 'When it comes to euthanasia, the slippery slope is not hypothetical. We see two things happen in every jurisdiction that has gone down this road. 

'The numbers go up almost every single year. There is pressure to expand the qualifying conditions.'