Belgium introduced a bill allowing euthanasia in 2002. In short, it now has significant experience in the matter. In the meantime, other countries have adopted similar laws while some other countries are debating the possibility.

In regard to other countries deciding whether to implement such measures – as being considered in the UK – it is useful to observe how this law has impacted daily clinical practice in Belgium. The trespassing of ethical limits, such as the killing of patients, can impact not only medicine, but also society, and this impact can evolve over many years. Therefore, a close look at the Belgian experience might be very useful in order to adapt legislative proposals – or to avoid them.