Euthanasia, assisted suicide and AIDS

Euthanasia is the termination of the life of a patient by a doctor at the request of the patient. Over the past 15 years AIDS has become the most common cause of death among men aged 20-50 years in Amsterdam. It follows from this that in Amsterdam euthanasia and assisted suicide among PWAs is seen relatively frequently, considerably more frequently than among patients with other diseases. This paper examines the existing data on suicide and euthanasia in relation to HIV. The calculated overall incidence of euthanasia/assisted suicide among PWAs in Amsterdam is about 26%. Reasons for the procedure, drugs used and outcomes are discussed, with specific reference to the Dutch context within which these occur.