For professionals

On 3 September 1985 the Central Board of the KNMG decided to set up a committee to prepare a position on the termination of life of patients who are unable to express a request for euthanasia, or who cannot be considered capable of overseeing the consequences of such a request, in accordance with its position on euthanasia. The Committee was asked to take a twofold view of its task, and to consider 1) whether, and if so under what conditions, intentional or active termination of life could be considered acceptable in the categories of patients concerned, and 2) to reflect on the question of the legitimacy of (life-prolonging) medical treatment in incapacitated patients.

Since 'euthanasia' should be understood to mean termination of life on request, the Committee was also requested to use different terminology for these groups of patients to distinguish between them.