Right now there is a debate going on in Belgium about whether or not euthanasia (choosing the right to die because of unbearable suffering) for minors should be legalized. The side that wants this says that it's for humanitarian reasons, to help a patient who is suffering from something that they can't do anything for end their life with dignity, instead of letting them suffer a painful death. For example, there was a six-month old girl who was diagnosed with an incurable genetic disease, and her parents had to watch her become extremely skinny and suffer until she died naturally four months later. On the other side, René Stockman, a senior member of the Brothers of Charity, a religious order that runs hospices, feels that even though suffering can be unbearable, it's better to find a sense in life instead of ending it.
When I first started reading this article, I thought that it would be a really bad idea to allow this, because what if a child wanted to die, but hadn't really thought it through? Or were really depressed and didn't want to live anymore? I don't believe euthanasia would be right in these situations, because there's still some hope of living a good life. After I read the article, however, I realized that that's not what this debate is about. In this case, I would have to agree with those who want euthanasia legalized for minors, because, for me at least, it doesn't make sense to continue suffering if there is no hope. Or, even if there is a slight bit of hope, is it worth holding out for? I guess that's the patient's and their loved ones' decision, but it should at least be legalized so you have a choice. Since euthanasia is already legal for adults, I think making it legal for minors, too, isn't that much different (the same situations and reasons, just different ages). But, I think it's especially important for children and minors because, usually, they aren't as capable as adults to "find a sense in life", and should have their last moment be one full of love and support instead of pain and suffering. Because of these reasons, I wonder why euthanasia (for adults and minors) isn't legal in other countries, but I also realize that different cultures have different beliefs. For example, in Thailand, there are almost no vets who do euthanasia because people there believe in reincarnation, so that the animal you are euthanizing could be your grandmother or another person in another life, so they don't believe in killing it. I'm not sure if euthanasia should be legalized in the US, but since it already is in Belgium, it should probably be extended to minors as well.
Source: http://www.euronews.com/2013/11/29/euthanasia-for-minors-belgium-s-painful-dilemma/
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