Belgium Lawmakers Supporting Under-Age Euthanasia by Kera Mickus

On Wednesday, a controversial bill would continue the right to request euthanasia to children with terminal illness and adults suffering from dementia cleared a vote in a Belgian Senate meeting. The panel voted 13 -4 to allow the euthanasia under certain circumstances, said Patrick Peremans - the communications director for the Senate - told CNN. The bill, though, has not passed all the parts, yet, and has more troubles to overcome before being put into action. In 2002, the Belgian Senate passed a law to allow adults to request euthanasia, but the new law is extending rights to under-18 minors, who, under the most extreme and stringent conditions, want to end their life.

However, critics question whether children are capable of making an informed decision on whether to end their own lives.

The Netherlands already allows children over the age of 12 to request euthanasia with the consent of their parents. Since the law was introduced in 2002, only five children have chosen to die that way.

I think it's actually a good idea, since doctor and patients probably do it more than we really realize - since they do it "illegally", which creates room for problems and treating the patient harshly. I think the patients asking for the euthanasia should definitely be evaluated by trained psychologists and their mental state should be examined. Children and teens do make good decisions, as well as bad decisions, and making a bad decision in this situation would equal a termination of their life. I thins its a touchy subject, and either way there are consequences.

Original by : Laura Smith-Spark and Diana Magnay

Source : http://edition.cnn.com/2013/11/27/world/europe/belgium-euthanasia-children/index.html?hpt=ieu_c2