Ex-Dutch health minister Els Borst was found dead in her garage.
Amsterdam: The former Dutch health minister, Els Borst, famously known for drafting the Netherlands' 2002 law permitting euthanasia, was found dead in her garage, police said on Tuesday. She was 81.
According to the official spokesperson Thomas Aling, from Utrecht police, told state broadcaster NOS, that they had not ruled out a natural cause of death, an accident or a crime. But had no reason to suspect a crime and the matter is probed.
On Saturday Borst, was seen attending a function of her centrist D66 political party. Borst, a medical academic who served as health minister from 1994 to 2002. She also drafted the legislation, which permits the use of tissue from aborted foetuses for medical research.
The country's euthanasia law, which codified a longstanding practice, allows euthanasia when a person requests it, is suffering unbearably and has no chance of recovery. Two doctors must agree.
Her viewpoints were often at odds with those of religious groups, but enjoyed the approval of most Dutch voters.
Trying to prevent a measles epidemic in the Dutch Calvinist bible belt last year, she wrote an opinion piece in newspaper Algemeen Dagblad asking pastors and churchgoers to get vaccinated.
"If everything is God's will, then so is the invention of the vaccine, just like the seatbelt," she said.
As minister she was criticized for failing to get rid of waiting lists for state-sponsored health care during her term. She fought continually for more spending, and warned the country must prepare for a graying population.
Borst had the title of "minister of state" - one of a handful of former political leaders given diplomatic passports who were allowed to represent the country on the international stage.
She is survived by three children.
