Ellen Goodman

In the following viewpoint, columnist Ellen Goodman describes how physician-assisted suicide is handled in the Netherlands. (It remains technically illegal, but doctors are not prosecuted if they follow certain guidelines.) The author acknowledges several drawbacks to the Dutch policies, and states that they are not appropriate for America. While Goodman maintains that the Dutch approach is not a perfect solution to the complex, divisive problem of euthanasia, she believes the Dutch willingness to acknowledge and deal with the issue is commendable.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. How do the Dutch define euthanasia, according to Goodman?
2. Why does the author believe that the nine hundred to one thousand annual victims of “non-voluntary euthanasia” are not a result of Holland’s euthanasia policies?
3. In the author’s opinion...