The Netherlands was the first country in the world to legalize active euthanasia (taking deliberate action to end a person’s life) in 2002, followed by Belgium later that year. Some patients are...

The Netherlands was the first country in the world to legalize active euthanasia (taking deliberate action to end a person’s life) in 2002, followed by Belgium later that year. Some patients are beyond being able to help themselves and raise the issue of family or friends becoming involved in assisted suicide. In the UK, Diane Pretty wanted to die but, due to her illness, she was unable to move and so unable to take her own life.