Dutch Poised to Legalize Euthanasia ; Netherlands Law Would Go Furthest on Assisted Suicide; Also on Fall Ballot in Maine

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Two years ago, Nelika Dumee's family gathered at her mother's home to share an event they had been discussing for a year: her mother's death by euthanasia.

The older woman, who had been diagnosed as terminally ill, said "I want to have the honor to have mercy killing." In a room filled with flowers and candles and "a lot of family talking," she said her goodbyes. Then her doctor administered a lethal injection.

"It was a nice death," recalls Mrs. Dumee. "It was respectful."

It was also technically illegal and morally controversial. For decades, mercy killing has existed in a legal gray area in the Netherlands, not prosecuted as long as doctors follow …