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    STUDIA BIOETHICA - Issue no. 1-2 / 2014  
         
  Article:   LEGALIZING OF THE EUTHANASIA PROCESS IN BELGIUM.

Authors:  GABRIEL ROMAN. 		 
       
         
  Abstract:  Medical decision-making for patients with life-threatening diseases increasingly entails a balanced consideration of medical, ethical, and psychosocial aspects. These considerations and the legal background in each country could modify end-of-life decision-making practices and attitudes of doctors, patients and other people involved. The decade of the 2000s reveals several major shifts in medical decision-making for patients, with a strong focus on their autonomy. The refusal of any unreasonable obstinacy is often the basis of the position in favor of legalizing euthanasia. The intent of this article is to analyze the results of the Belgian euthanasia law, which entered in force in 2002, decriminalising this practice. Our analysis is based on the data reported by the most recent published articles on the topic. As a general result of our analysis, anyone may conclude an increased use of euthanasia. Moreover, this practice may generate a division of health care teams. In spite of the existence of the Belgian Federal Commission of Monitoring and Assessment of Euthanasia, after euthanasia has been legalized in Belgium, it seems that this country slides down the slippery slope. Although the major objective of the law was to eliminate the clandestine euthanasia, it was not met in full. Acceptance of one form of euthanasia will lead to acceptance of other, less acceptable, forms of assisted dying. 

Keywords: Euthanasia, Belgium, Legalization, Ethics
 
         
     
         
         
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