Issues, Etc. “Psychiatric Euthanasia” in the Netherlands – Wesley Smith, 3/9/26 (0681)
Mar 9, 2026
Wesley J. Smith, a bioethics writer and senior fellow who critiques euthanasia, discusses psychiatric euthanasia in the Netherlands. He covers how assisted death laws broaden over time. He examines media mixed messages on suicide prevention. He outlines trends in Canada and the U.S. and urges moral resistance to normalizing assisted suicide.
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Legalization Normalizes Some Suicides
- Legalizing assisted suicide changes a society from opposing suicide to endorsing some suicides.
- Wesley J. Smith warns state imprimatur normalizes killing and steadily expands eligibility beyond initial limits, eroding suicide prevention.
From Protecting Life To Eliminating Suffering
- Once suffering becomes the primary goal to eliminate, policy shifts from protecting life to eliminating sufferers.
- Smith argues this reframing makes any self-defined 'irremediable' suffering a basis for death.
Media Celebrates Assisted Deaths While Posting Hotline Notices
- Media often promote assisted-death advocates while superficially offering suicide hotline notices.
- Smith contrasts publicity for Brittany Maynard and Jack Kevorkian with token 'if you're suicidal' messages as hypocritical.
