Belgium looks at euthanasia for minors, Alzheimer's sufferers

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AFP - Belgium is considering a significant change to its decade-old euthanasia law that would allow minors and Alzheimer's sufferers to seek permission to die.

The proposed changes to the law were submitted to parliament Tuesday by the Socialist party and are likely to be approved by other parties, although no date has yet been put forward for a parliamentary debate.

"The idea is to update the law to take better account of dramatic situations and extremely harrowing cases we must find a response to," party leader Thierry Giet said.

The draft legislation calls for "the law to be extended to minors if they are capable of discernment or affected by an incurable illness or suffering that we cannot alleviate."

Belgium was the second country in the world after the Netherlands to legalise euthanasia in 2002 but it applies only to people over the age of 18.

Socialist Senator Philippe Mahoux, who helped draft the proposed changes, said there had been cases of adolescents who "had the capacity to decide" their future.

He said parliamentarians would also consider extended mercy-killing to people suffering from Alzheiner's-type illnesses.

Euthanasia was allowed to an Alzheimer's patient for the first time in the Netherlands last year.

In Belgium, some 1,133 cases -- mostly for terminal cancer -- were recorded in 2011, about one percent of all deaths in the country, according to official figures.

A seriously ill prisoner serving a long jail sentence this year became the first inmate to die under Belgium's euthanasia laws.

Belgium looks at euthanasia for minors, Alzheimer's sufferers - FRANCE 24

 

[Soymuscle Mike]

Not totally against this for physical ailments, in most cases a 16 year old can understand perfectly well that he'll have to spend the rest of his life in misery.

If it's going to be legal from his/her 18th onwards anyway, should we really force the kid to live 2 more years in agony?

A cut-off date is always tricky in these cases, so a psychological checkup is, as it is now in Belgium/The Netherlands, vital as well.

 

[NoMayo15]

Not totally against this for physical ailments, in most cases a 16 year old can understand perfectly well that he'll have to spend the rest of his life in misery.

If it's going to be legal from his/her 18th onwards anyway, should we really force the kid to live 2 more years in agony?

A cut-off date is always tricky in these cases, so a psychological checkup is, as it is now in Belgium/The Netherlands, vital as well.

Damn... Imagine asking for euthanasia for your 18th birthday


This can't be life

 

[Dafunkdoc_Unlimited]

A dog with cancer and many other ailments can be put to death without it's permission, but a human being has to be sentenced to die or murdered for the same 'mercy'.

Yeah, that makes sense.

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[mbewane]

Not totally against this for physical ailments, in most cases a 16 year old can understand perfectly well that he'll have to spend the rest of his life in misery.

If it's going to be legal from his/her 18th onwards anyway, should we really force the kid to live 2 more years in agony?

A cut-off date is always tricky in these cases, so a psychological checkup is, as it is now in Belgium/The Netherlands, vital as well.

Yeah the cut-off date is always tricky...I'm from Belgium, and I think the law will pass with probably more "safe-guards" than there are for the "regular" euthanasia law...euthanasia is totally accepted there, people don't really care about these "societal" laws

 

[Soymuscle Mike]

Yeah the cut-off date is always tricky...I'm from Belgium, and I think the law will pass with probably more "safe-guards" than there are for the "regular" euthanasia law...euthanasia is totally accepted there, people don't really care about these "societal" laws

I'm from the Netherlands so I'm (almost) in the same boat as you are.

I agree with nearly all of 'our' stances on Euthanasia and you're right, it's not that hot of a topic at all - most Dutch folk care more about hooligan laws than they do about Euthanasia...

A dog with cancer and many other ailments can be put to death without it's permission, but a human being has to be sentenced to die or murdered for the same 'mercy'.

You're talking about the US in this case?

I agree completely. I also love how it's the Republicans most in favor and supportove of the death penalty, the 'pro-life' party