Belgium Becomes First Country To Allow Euthanasia For Dying Children

[Playinghardball]

Source: NBC NEWS

Belgium became the first country in the world to allow terminally ill children of any age the right to die by euthanasia after passing a historic law Thursday.

As expected, the law passed the Belgian lower parliamentary house by 86 votes to 44 with 12 abstentions, according to a Reuters report.

The law allows doctors to kill a child if they and their parents consent, and there is thought to be no treatment for their intense suffering. They must also be assessed by a psychologist and be "capable of discernment."

One man in the public gallery shouted "murderers" in French when the vote was passed after what had been a heated debate between lawmakers the previous day, according to Reuters.


Read more: http://www.nbcnews.com/news/europe/belgium-becomes-first-country-allow-euthanasia-dying-children-n29441

[valerief]

1. Fundie heads are exploding. nt

[Beacool]

2. Actually, this makes me nervous.

I respect an adult's decision to terminate his/her own life, but does the child have a say in this death verdict?

[KamaAina]

3. Me too.

Especially the potential for kids with significant disabilities to be labeled "terminally ill".

[Beacool]

4. Yes, I'm not sure about this law.

I'm leery of it, but I don't know the details of it. Will parents be allowed to terminate the life of a child whose health issues are "too much trouble"?

[TeeYiYi]

13. A legal advocate...

...for the child, should be provided. The child should have a say in this through his or her legal advocate.

Dunno about babies.

The above is just my opinion. I'm not a lawyer.

TYY

[Beacool]

18. Sounds reasonable.

Let's see how it works out.

[zazen]

7. same here--I'd hope there'd be an onerous deliberative process for anything disability related

simply as a disincentive for anyone to abuse it.

Then again, I pray to God I'm never in that situation (with grandchildren at this point I assume) and can only assume that the people behind this have long term, highly ethical and reflective, painful experience that's informing the law.

[Feral Child]

8. Check the original article.

Child has to participate in the decision and must be interviewed by a psychiatrist to determine that he/she understands the situation and has the ability to make a reasoned decision.

[Beacool]

10. Yeah, but would a small child understand?

Or do they have an minimum age requirement?

[Feral Child]

14. Valid point

I assume that if the psychiatrist can't determine that the child is capable of a rational decision in the matter, they would not proceed.

I still think it's a very reasonable and humane law.

[Beacool]

17. I don't know.........

My heart says that it's wrong to end a child's life, but in some cases it may be the most humane thing to do. It's not an easy decision.

[Feral Child]

21. It should *feel* wrong.

It's horrible to even contemplate, but if I knew my child was suffering and would continue to suffer until death (with no hope for ever recovering) I'd most assuredly choose to peacefully end the struggle.

I said before, "I do it for my animals, I'd do it for myself, and I'd certainly do it for my child."

Of course I'd mourn, but would be proud of having the strength to make the decision.

[Stargazer09]

22. Yes, it should feel wrong

But it sounds like this law is humane and sensible, with safeguards in place to prevent abuse.

My mom was in constant, excruciating pain towards the end of her struggle with cancer. I can't imagine forcing a child (or even an adult) to deal with that when there's no hope of a recovery.

[hughee99]

15. Makes me a little skittish as well,

by the time the psychologist interviews the child, I'm sure the parents will have convinced the child it's the right thing to do.

[jwirr]

5. I am very afraid of this law.

[melm00se]

6. Some folks will label this

as a "post birth abortion".

[Feral Child]

9. I call it "humane" and "civilized".

I make that decision for my cats often. Love them to much to let them suffer.

I'll make it for myself someday, most likely.

It must be hellish to watch your child suffer like that.

[Auntie Bush]

16. +1000

That my way of thinking. There can be rules that prevent abuse.

[area51]

20. One could call denying people in this country health care

a post birth abortion. The US isn't a civilized country and doesn't have a leg to stand on morally regarding health care judgments.

[JI7]

11. i'm not informed about this at all but it makes me uncomfortable

at least with older people they have had the chance to reach that stage in life where you understand these things .

young minds may not fully understand so even if they give consent it could be based on a naive mind of a child. not something they might do as they get older .

are there any age limits ? for example does it exclude kids under a certain age ? i can maybe teenagers being able to do this.

but a child that 7 years old ?

[marble falls]

12. To be honest it never crossed my mind that children would even need to be concidered for this ...

sort of relief. I first thought of it for my grandparents, then parents, now me. And soon my children, maybe? But kids. I've lived a fortunate life. I am so blessed that my children are healthy and my grandchildren, too.

Being a medical ethicist and having to work through this treatment has to be very tough.

[dembotoz]

19. what an awful decision to have to make

[rug]

23. This must be one of the addest laws ever enacted.