Patient autonomy and criminal law: a Dutch perspective

The Dutch Criminal Code contains explicit provisions under which ‘treatment without the patient’s consent’ as such is made punishable. Performing medical interventions without the patient’s consent falls under the scope of several general and special criminal provisions, although there are some exceptions. In this chapter, we focus on these criminal provisions and consider whether the patient’s autonomy is sufficiently protected in Dutch criminal law. Special attention is given to criminal offences concerning the beginning and end of life: abortion, euthanasia and assisted suicide. Criminal la... Mehr ...