Research seeks to clarify assisted suicide practices in Germany and inform future regulation
Assisted suicide is morally and ethically controversial. Public debate on the topic tends to arise primarily when a high-profile case comes to light—as was most recently the case with the famous twins Alice and Ellen Kessler. While assisted suicide is permitted in Germany, it is scarcely regulated by law. Until now, there has been little scientifically validated data on the current practice of…
Research is underway in Germany to better understand assisted suicide practices and inform future regulations. Assisted suicide is permitted in Germany, though it is not heavily regulated by law. Dr. Sven Schwabe and his team from the Institute of General Medicine and Palliative Care at Hannover Medical School are leading the project "Assisted Suicide in Germany—Research on Practice (ASEP)."
The study aims to learn more about the practical procedures, people involved, challenges, and the role of assisted suicide within the healthcare system. Assisted suicide is legally permitted in Germany if it is a voluntary decision made by the individual seeking to die, with no coercion from others. The Federal Constitutional Court granted lawmakers the authority to revise assisted suicide regulations in 2020.
While Germany has one of the most liberal legal frameworks for assisted suicide globally, there is a lack of scientifically validated data on the practice. The number of assisted suicides has been rising steadily, with 109 recorded in 2020 and over 1,000 by 2025. However, there are likely many unreported cases. The ASEP project, a qualitative study, is currently under way and will explore how medical, nonmedical practitioners, and family members experience current practices, identify challenges, and examine the relationship between assisted suicide and the healthcare system. The findings will be shared with policymakers, researchers, and professional associations.
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