ng the legality of euthanasia. Thus in 1993 the Dutch Parliament passed measures to clarify the state of physician assisted suicide laws. Under the new law physician assisted suicide is still punishable by up to 12 years in prison, but if the established guidelines are followed, the practice is safely shielded by the legal system. The law requires that patients be euthanized in accordance with the following "carefulness
requirements." (Russell, 781) The first requires that a request for death must be made entirely of the patient's free will and could not be made by family or friends. The second requirement states that the request must be expressed repeatedly and show lasting longing for
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