Patel Kant
Department of Political Science, Southwest Missouri State University, 901 S. National, Strong Hall, Springfield, MO 65804, USA.
J Health Soc Policy. 2004;19(1):37-55. doi: 10.1300/J045v19n01_02.
This article presents a comparative analysis of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide policy in The Netherlands and the state of Oregon in the United States. The topics of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide are discussed in the context of the historical setting of The Netherlands and the United States with special emphasis placed on public opinion, role of the courts and the legislative bodies, and opinions of physicians. Major similarities and differences in the laws of The Netherlands and Oregon are discussed. The article examines whether the passage of the law has led to a slide down the slippery slope in The Netherlands and Oregon as had been suggested by the opponents of the law. The article concludes that the empirical evidence does not support the contention of the opponents. However, the author argues that the potential for this happening is much greater in The Netherlands than in Oregon.
本文对荷兰和美国俄勒冈州的安乐死及医生协助自杀政策进行了比较分析。安乐死和医生协助自杀的话题是在荷兰和美国的历史背景下进行讨论的，特别强调了公众舆论、法院和立法机构的作用以及医生的意见。讨论了荷兰和俄勒冈州法律中的主要异同点。本文考察了该法律的通过是否如法律反对者所暗示的那样，导致荷兰和俄勒冈州出现了滑坡效应。文章得出结论，实证证据并不支持反对者的论点。然而，作者认为这种情况在荷兰发生的可能性比在俄勒冈州大得多。
