Developments after the liberalization of laws concerning assisted dying—experience from Belgium and other countries

Euthanasia and Physician-Assisted Suicide in People With an Accumulation of Health Problems Related to Old Age: A Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study Among Physicians in the Netherlands

“…Abroad, euthanasia has also been legalized in several jurisdictions, including Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg, Canada, Colombia, six states in Australia, and New Zealand [ 18 , 26 , 27 ]. Belgium runs almost parallel to the Netherlands in terms of legislation and the gradual expansion of its interpretation [ 26 ]. Cases of people with an accumulation of health problems related to old age who requested EAS have also occurred here.…”

“…Canada recently (2021) amended legislation (Bill C-14 to Bill C-7), removing “reasonably foreseeable death” as an eligibility criterion, allowing EAS in people with an accumulation of health problems related to old age [ 11 ]. However, in Colombia, Australia and New Zealand, legislation is limited to those with a terminal illness [ 26 ]. The study by Mroz et al [ 26 ] describes that in some countries where EAS has been legalized for some time (e.g., in the Netherlands and in Belgium), a process of conceptual gradual “filling” of the existing legal space was observed.…”

“…However, in Colombia, Australia and New Zealand, legislation is limited to those with a terminal illness [ 26 ]. The study by Mroz et al [ 26 ] describes that in some countries where EAS has been legalized for some time (e.g., in the Netherlands and in Belgium), a process of conceptual gradual “filling” of the existing legal space was observed. This means that EAS initially was granted to people who were most obviously eligible (e.g., those who are terminally ill) and then gradually expanded to groups of people who were less obviously eligible (non-terminal people and people without a life-threatening illness).…”