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Belgium Close to Allowing Euthanasia for Ill Minors Belgium Close to Allowing Euthanasia for Ill Minors
(7 months later)
PARIS — Belgian lawmakers gave final approval on Thursday to a measure that would allow euthanasia for incurably ill children enduring insufferable pain. King Philippe is expected to sign the measure into law and make Belgium the first country to lift all age restrictions on legal, medically induced deaths. PARIS — Belgian lawmakers gave final approval on Thursday to a measure that would allow euthanasia for incurably ill children enduring insufferable pain. King Philippe is expected to sign the measure into law and make Belgium the first country to lift all age restrictions on legal, medically induced deaths.
Under the measure, approved 86 to 44 by the lower house, euthanasia would be permissible for terminally ill children who are close to death, experiencing “constant and unbearable suffering” and can show a “capacity of discernment,” meaning they can demonstrate they understand the consequences of such a choice.Under the measure, approved 86 to 44 by the lower house, euthanasia would be permissible for terminally ill children who are close to death, experiencing “constant and unbearable suffering” and can show a “capacity of discernment,” meaning they can demonstrate they understand the consequences of such a choice.
The measure is an amended version of a 2002 law that allowed euthanasia for adults, and it extends this to those under 18. The legislation also requires that a request for euthanasia include the written consent of a parent.The measure is an amended version of a 2002 law that allowed euthanasia for adults, and it extends this to those under 18. The legislation also requires that a request for euthanasia include the written consent of a parent.
Although the legislation had been approved by the upper house of Parliament in December and is supported by a strong majority of Belgians, it has spurred an emotional debate. Opponents, including religious leaders, some medical professionals and conservative politicians, have argued that modern medicine can alleviate suffering among the very sick and that euthanasia of minors could lead Belgian society down a perilous ethical path.Although the legislation had been approved by the upper house of Parliament in December and is supported by a strong majority of Belgians, it has spurred an emotional debate. Opponents, including religious leaders, some medical professionals and conservative politicians, have argued that modern medicine can alleviate suffering among the very sick and that euthanasia of minors could lead Belgian society down a perilous ethical path.
This week 160 Belgian pediatricians signed an open letter arguing that there was no urgent need for the law and that science and medicine were capable of relieving the worst suffering of terminally ill children. Demonstrators this week also took to the streets in Brussels. Some carried signs that read: “Care! Do Not Kill.”This week 160 Belgian pediatricians signed an open letter arguing that there was no urgent need for the law and that science and medicine were capable of relieving the worst suffering of terminally ill children. Demonstrators this week also took to the streets in Brussels. Some carried signs that read: “Care! Do Not Kill.”
Philippe Mahoux, a Socialist Party senator who sponsored the legislation, said on Thursday in a telephone interview from Brussels that the law would affect only a small number of terminally ill young people, such as cancer patients with no hope of successful treatment. “This is an act of humanity that allows the doctor to make the most humane course of action for his patient,” said Mr. Mahoux, who trained as a surgeon. “What is scandalous is the suffering of sick children when they are going to die.”Philippe Mahoux, a Socialist Party senator who sponsored the legislation, said on Thursday in a telephone interview from Brussels that the law would affect only a small number of terminally ill young people, such as cancer patients with no hope of successful treatment. “This is an act of humanity that allows the doctor to make the most humane course of action for his patient,” said Mr. Mahoux, who trained as a surgeon. “What is scandalous is the suffering of sick children when they are going to die.”
As for the contention by some that sick children are ill equipped to confront the choice of dying, he said that suffering from a terminal illness endowed young people with a maturity sometimes lacking in many adults.As for the contention by some that sick children are ill equipped to confront the choice of dying, he said that suffering from a terminal illness endowed young people with a maturity sometimes lacking in many adults.
During a parliamentary debate on Wednesday, members of the Socialist Party said that the issue was a matter of mercy and humanity. “It is our responsibility to allow everyone to live and die with dignity,” Karine Lalieux, a Socialist lawmaker, told Le Soir, a Belgian newspaper.During a parliamentary debate on Wednesday, members of the Socialist Party said that the issue was a matter of mercy and humanity. “It is our responsibility to allow everyone to live and die with dignity,” Karine Lalieux, a Socialist lawmaker, told Le Soir, a Belgian newspaper.
According to a survey by another newspaper, La Libre Belgique, three-quarters of the citizens in Belgium, a predominantly Roman Catholic but secular country, support granting incurably sick minors the option of euthanasia.According to a survey by another newspaper, La Libre Belgique, three-quarters of the citizens in Belgium, a predominantly Roman Catholic but secular country, support granting incurably sick minors the option of euthanasia.
Opponents have pointed to the difficulty of judging whether a child, in particular one suffering incurable illness, has the mental capacity for making a request to die. They have also argued that a patient’s closeness to death can be a matter of opinion.Opponents have pointed to the difficulty of judging whether a child, in particular one suffering incurable illness, has the mental capacity for making a request to die. They have also argued that a patient’s closeness to death can be a matter of opinion.
In a statement preceding the upper house vote in December, the Community of Sant’Egidio, a Catholic movement of lay people, said that expanding the legal right to euthanasia would be “opening the door to a new kind of barbarism.” It expressed concern that sick people, especially the young, may choose to die for fear of burdening others.In a statement preceding the upper house vote in December, the Community of Sant’Egidio, a Catholic movement of lay people, said that expanding the legal right to euthanasia would be “opening the door to a new kind of barbarism.” It expressed concern that sick people, especially the young, may choose to die for fear of burdening others.
Compared with the United States, where euthanasia is banned and assisted dying is allowed in only five states, Europe is relatively more permissive. Belgium is one of a few European countries that has legalized euthanasia. The Netherlands was the first to legalize euthanasia, in 2002, allowing it in special cases for seriously sick patients 12 years or older. Luxembourg allows euthanasia for adults. Switzerland allows doctors to help patients die.Compared with the United States, where euthanasia is banned and assisted dying is allowed in only five states, Europe is relatively more permissive. Belgium is one of a few European countries that has legalized euthanasia. The Netherlands was the first to legalize euthanasia, in 2002, allowing it in special cases for seriously sick patients 12 years or older. Luxembourg allows euthanasia for adults. Switzerland allows doctors to help patients die.
But the idea of euthanasia for children is considered morally repugnant in many European countries, driven in part by memories of the Nazis, who killed thousands of children they had deemed to be mentally and physically impaired.But the idea of euthanasia for children is considered morally repugnant in many European countries, driven in part by memories of the Nazis, who killed thousands of children they had deemed to be mentally and physically impaired.