Monday, October 28, 2013
In 2002, Belgium legalized euthanasia for blindness, depression, anorexia nervosa, and for people who received a messed up sex change operation. Recently, there is a push to expand euthanasia for children. The proposed law would permit euthanasia for suffering children under age 18 if they ask for it, their parents agree, and experts state that the child understands his decision. A vote is projected to happen within the next few weeks.
Critics say this will encourage a "culture of death," while supporters claim that the law is compassionate. Two thirds of Belgians support the proposed legislation. However, a recent poll revealed that of the supporters 75% of them said euthanizing a suffering child does not require the consent of the child.
See Dale Hurd, Culture of Death: Belgium Eyes Child Euthanasia, Charisma News, Oct. 21, 2013.