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Child Euthanasia in Belgium.
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Child Euthanasia in Belgium.Posted:

Jeeves
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Child euthanasia in Belgium: World first as doctors are allowed to help children with terminal illness die

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Belgium has become the first country in the world to allow euthanasia for any age group, after its parliament backed amendments to the existing law which would in very rare cases permit doctors to help end the life of a terminally ill child.

Paediatricians and politicians fighting for the amendment argued that sick children in Belgium should have the same rights at the end of their lives as adults, who since 2002 have been able to ask doctors to help them die with dignity when faced with unbearable and irreversible suffering.

But religious groups and other doctors said such cases were so rare in children that there was no need to rush through new rules. They said guidelines on assessing a childs capacity for making such life-and-death decisions were ill-defined, which they feared could lead to misuse.

After an emotional two-day debate, the lawmakers followed the lead of the Senate and overwhelmingly approved the amendments, which will come into force as soon as Belgiums monarch, King Philippe, signs the law. He is not expected to oppose it.

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I think the religious reaction to this is quite funny, "There are only a few cases so it's not something to get too bothered about."
I'll just leave this quote from the Brother's Karamazov here:
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Anyway, what are your thoughts on this?
Personally I think that if someone wants to end their life when they have a terminal illness, but are unable to, they should be allowed help.
The only reason for keeping them alive is to make family member's happy, and that's when you have to ask yourself, is it more cruel to take someone from their family, or force someone to live in a world that they don't want to live in any more?

The following 2 users thanked Jeeves for this useful post:

-LC (04-05-2014), Katsumi (03-07-2014)
#2. Posted:
Copland
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This could cause arguments on both sides eventually, but personally Im shocked they passed it
#3. Posted:
Yin
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I am 100% behind this. If the kid is going to die anyway, may as well give him/her a choice to end it without having to live in pain and/or misery. Now, we need this to get passed in other places. I understand where it is sad to take someone's life, but it is better than them suffering until they die. More places and people should have that luxury of choosing when faced with the two options that both end in death.
#4. Posted:
CDK
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This could be a very controversial subject, I personally believe they shouldn't get the decision since they are so young.
#5. Posted:
108
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There arguments for both sides like someone above said but I don't think this should be allowed, It's just wrong
#6. Posted:
ExSportsable
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I think this is right as long as multiple safeguards are in place to protect vulnerable children.
#7. Posted:
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FBl wrote They're not old enough to make decisions like this

Surprised this got passed tbh

I truly agree. When everyone gets older everything you did as a kid seems stupid.
#8. Posted:
ExSportsable
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VPN wrote
FBl wrote They're not old enough to make decisions like this

Surprised this got passed tbh

I truly agree. When everyone gets older everything you did as a kid seems stupid.

If a child wants to die and there is no chance of recovery, why not grant them their wish?
#9. Posted:
AlmightyHelix
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This could cause a argument both ways. Personally, if someone is grimly ill and they are in pain 24/7 and have no chance of survival, I agree with it if they have the families consent. It's all about the circumstances.

I'm shocked they actually are allowing this to happen though.
#10. Posted:
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Heir wrote This could cause a argument both ways. Personally, if someone is grimly ill and they are in pain 24/7 and have no chance of survival, I agree with it if they have the families consent. It's all about the circumstances.

I'm shocked they actually are allowing this to happen though.

Belgium is well known for their euthanasia rules, being one of the first countries to bring it in.
They are also known for their multiple safe guards in such situations. For example, you cannot be mentally ill and wish to die. I think how they do it with adults is very good, so I think they can put enough safe guards in place to protect the children. One main safe guard is they have to be terminally ill.
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