Euthanasia is an emotional topic. Discussion of euthanasia often evoke strong emotional reactions. Most people have definite opinions about euthanasia. They are either in strong agreement with or strong opposition to such practices. Polarisation of viewpoints make discussion difficult. This can be attributed to the underlying strength of personal values and belief systems. Any challenge and contradiction to entrenched beliefs may initiate cognitive dissonance. As professionals we have an ethical responsibility to strive for balanced understanding of opposing viewpoints.

Doctors in the Netherlands have been practicing voluntary euthanasia for decades. In 1993, the Dutch Parliament approved stringent guidelines for doctors carrying out voluntary euthanasia on terminally ill patients. The vote was seen as endorsing the existing procedures used by the medical community and sanctioned by the majority of citizens.  Euthanasia remains a crime under Dutch Statue Law, but the Parliament has indicated that acts of euthanasia should not be prosecuted, providing the guidelines are followed.

In May 1995, the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly in Australia passed a bill which will allow doctors to prescribe or administer lethal substances to terminally ill patients who requested them to do so provided various conditions are met. The Northern Territory has become the first parliament in the world to legalise voluntary euthanasia.