Under the law, the definition of euthanasia applies when a physician ends the life of a patient at his express request due to unbearable and lasting suffering. Euthanasia means that the physician administers a lethal substance to the patient. In the case of assisted suicide, the physician supplies a lethal substance that the patient takes in the physician’s presence. The physician must: a. Be satisfied that the patient’s request is voluntary and well considered. b. Be satisfied that the patient’s suffering is unbearable, with no prospect of improvement. c. Have informed the patient about his situation and his prognosis. d. Have come to the conclusion, together with the patient, that there is no reasonable alternative in the patient’s situation. e. Have consulted at least one other, independent physician, who must see the patient and give a written opinion on whether the due care criteria set out in (a) to (d) have been fulfilled. f. Have exercised due medical care and attention in terminating the patient’s life or assisting in his suicide. The Act stipulates in section 2.2 that a patient aged 16 or over who is decisional competent may draw up an advance directive, setting out a request for euthanasia. If at some point the patient is no longer capable of expressing his will, the physician may accept the advance directive as a request pursuant to section 2 (1)(a) of the Act.1 2 The advance directive thus has the same status as an oral request for euthanasia |