Danielle van Dalen
About Danielle van Dalen
Hailing from the Waikato, Danielle joined the Maxim Institute research team in 2016 after completing her MSc in Political Science at Leiden University in the Netherlands. Previously, she achieved a BA(Hons) in Political Science and International Relations from Victoria University of Wellington. Over her four years at Maxim Institute Danielle has worked on a range of projects including leading our research on euthanasia and assisted suicide, our research on the intersection of poverty, disability and employment, and more recently considering the role of the Government and society in protecting the freedoms of our democracy.
Most Recent Activity
FAQ #6 | Where is euthanasia and/or assisted suicide currently legal?
By Danielle van Dalen
Of a total 252 jurisdictions worldwide, only 18 allow some combination of euthanasia and assisted suicide, with two additional jurisdictions…
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FAQ #7 | In places where forms of assisted dying are already legal, how many people actually choose it?
By Danielle van Dalen
International experience shows us that after euthanasia and/or assisted suicide has become law the number of people who choose to…
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FAQ #8 | If we vote in favour of the End of Life Choice Act, is that going to be the end of the debate?
By Danielle van Dalen
It is unlikely that proponents of assisted suicide will be satisfied with the End of Life Choice Act. As the…
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FAQ #9 | Can the End of Life Choice Act overcome the risks?
By Danielle van Dalen
Our research has found that assisted dying legislation poses significant risks, and that no piece of legislation has been able…
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FAQ #10 | Who is vulnerable to the risks of euthanasia and assisted suicide legislation?
By Danielle van Dalen
People with disabilities, the elderly, the chronically ill, and people with mental illness like depression are all groups that are…
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FAQ #11 | How do we currently care for people at the end of their life?
By Danielle van Dalen
The legalisation of euthanasia and assisted suicide is often framed as the only compassionate response to people with terminal illnesses…
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FAQ #12 | Have jurisdictions that said no to assisted dying legislation responded with alternative approaches to caring well for people at the end of life?
By Danielle van Dalen
In 2015 Scotland investigated a bill on assisted suicide. In their report, the Health and Sport Committee recommended the Scottish…
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FAQ #13 | Why are we having a referendum?
By Danielle van Dalen
The End of Life Choice Act passed Third Reading in Parliament in November 2019 with 61 MPs in favour and…
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FAQ #14 | What doesn’t count as euthanasia or assisted suicide?
By Danielle van Dalen
Research shows that many people think that relatively normal medical decisions count as a form of euthanasia.[1] However, withdrawing treatment,…
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FAQ #15 | What do nurse and medical practitioners think of the End of Life Choice Act?
By Danielle van Dalen
Under the End of Life Choice Act, nurse and medical practitioners will be required to directly participate in the provision…
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FAQ #16 | What are the key arguments in favour of the End of Life Choice Act?
By Danielle van Dalen
There are two key arguments that are regularly discussed in favour of the legalisation of euthanasia and assisted suicide: choice…
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Covid19 a community corrective to our culture of autonomous choice
By Danielle van Dalen
In my work as a researcher, I’ve noticed the influence of some powerful personal narratives—autonomy and individualism—that form significant foundational…
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The foundational message of assisted dying
By Danielle van Dalen
I’m sure many of us have had that moment, where we realise we’ve been talking about something and not realised…
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The peril of overriding personal conscience
By Danielle van Dalen
One of the non-blockbuster films of the summer is Terrence Malick’s latest project A Hidden Life. It’s based on the…
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Beware the cult of youth
By Danielle van Dalen
To get a vision of what society values, take a look at a magazine stand. Looking across the cover images…
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Euthanasia too great a risk for people with disabilities
By Danielle van Dalen
With a final amended version of the End of Life Choice Bill expected to be voted on next month, potentially…
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Participate in, don’t just consume community
By Danielle van Dalen
Every time the local elections roll around I read through that little booklet of candidates and find it difficult to…
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Census success needs all of us
By Danielle van Dalen
Imagine if you could influence funding for the healthcare you receive, or for the schools your children attend, with just…
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Maxim Institute’s Submission to the Abortion Legislation Bill
By Danielle van Dalen
This submission was prepared by Danielle van Dalen, Gael Goulter and Jessie Duffin in response to the Parliamentary Select Committee’s…
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“Adulting” is only hard without community
By Danielle van Dalen
Growing up can be tough. But last month the British Government took cushioning the blow to new extremes when they…
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