[Legal discussion on euthanasia of severely ill patients from the medical viewpoint].

Demographic factors lead to rising numbers of old and very old people in our society. In connection with this development the numbers of the seriously ill and handicapped needing comprehensive care are growing. Society is not sufficiently prepared to meet these ethical and economical problems. In this situation consequentialistic utilitarism may contribute to the social acceptance of direct, active euthanasia. Three paradigmatic judicial cases are described. Medical aspects of recent discussions in the field of criminal law are given. The danger of the "bursting of the dam", i.e. the tolerance of killing incurably ill and old patients is stressed. Compassion, self-determination, and economical considerations can not be accepted as reasons for the killing of human beings.