PAD May Become Available in Germany

Hopes for new promising PAD (Physician Assisted Dying) developments in Germany - Sep. 11 2007.

Dr. Roger Kusch a former Senator in the Council of the City of Hamburg, Germany, with responsibilities for the Judiciary, announced last week that he has developed a new method of offering PAD help to terminally and chronically ill patients.

The procedures he proposes to carry out would not only be perfectly legal ones in Germany but would also obviate the necessity for PAD candidates to travel to Switzerland to obtain help under the protection of the laws existing in that country.

As presently proposed, the method involves a two-step intravenous flow of:

(a) a glucose solution followed by
(b) a frequently prescribed anaesthetic in liquid form.

The patient himself and only he/she must activate the flow of the fluids by pressing a button or similar release mechanism. Having done so, patient falls into a coma and dies peacefully in a state of unconsciousness.

It is expected that the system will be operational in the early part of 2008, but organisation and administrative details have not yet been made public. Apparently one intends to make maximum use of retired physicians, as the as retirees can continue to write the necessary prescriptions withou fear of loosing their license to practice.

Patient eligibility requirements are expected to be similar to those in effect in Switzerland and Oregon.

August 2007 Issue of the German "Neue Zeitschrift fuer Strafrecht