_WORLD WATCH______________________________
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Doctor convicted
Went beyond euthanasia limits
A Dutch doctor was convicted in December of failing to meet the standards set by the country’s legislation allowing euthanasia. The conviction came in a case that tested the limits of assisted suicide under Dutch law.

Dr. Philip Sutorius had helped former Senator Edward Brongersma in taking his life in 1998. Brongersma was suffering from incontinence, dizziness, and immobility, and said he was tired of life. The court explained that Dr. Sutorius “was found guilty because he did not act for medical reasons,” but solely on the basis of the patient’s desire to end his life. However, court spokesman Liesbeth Dubois announced: “But the court did not sentence him because he acted out of compassion for his patient and because the court viewed this as a test case by the prosecutor.”

Euthanasia supporters criticized the verdict, saying it too narrowly defined the medical justification for euthanasia, and encouraged the doctor to appeal the decision against him.

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