Final Answer:
The Netherlands was the first nation to enact a law that made it legal for a physician to assist in ending a patient's life.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Netherlands took a pioneering step in the field of physician-assisted death by legalizing it through the Termination of Life on Request and Assisted Sui-cide Act, which came into effect in 2002. This legislation allows physicians to assist patients in ending their lives under strict conditions, such as the patient experiencing unbearable suffering with no prospect of improvement. The Du-tch law emphasizes the importance of voluntary and well-considered requests from competent patients.
The decision to enact such a law was influenced by a gradual shift in societal attitudes towards end-of-life care, with increased emphasis on patient autonomy and the right to a dignified death. The Netherlands' approach has since sparked discussions and debates worldwide on the ethical and legal aspects of physician-assisted death.