Extending euthanasia to minors

[L.A.F.]

In Belgium, euthanasia has been legal since the passing of the Belgian Act on Euthanasia in 2002, which states that:

"Adults (18 and older) who want euthanasia must repeatedly and explicitly show their willingness to end their life, must prove that their decision was taken without external pressure and that doctors must be certain the pain they are suffering, whether physical, psychological or both, is caused by a serious and incurable condition, and is constant, unbearable and cannot be mitigated."
(RTE News (03/06/2013), "Belgian Senate considers extending euthanasia to minors", http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/0306/374348-...uthanasia/)

Ten years after the passing of this Act, the Belgian Senate considers extending euthanasia to minors.

What is your opinion on this matter?


PS: The exact 'minimum age' is not yet known, nor is it clear whether the parents/guardian take part in the decision.

[Darkstar]

Hmm...a tricky topic. Given all of the conditions required (i.e. repeatedly expressing a will to die, permanent unbearably agonizing condition, etc.) it would seem hard to abuse. I don't know about an exact age, but if someone was really suffering that much, would it be ethical to force them to endure years of additional unbearable agony because you aren't sure if they knew what they were asking for before? I am tempted to say no.

[Anomalocaris]

I think it seems reasonable. Against the possibility of abuse one must also weigh whether the law should for terminally ill minor to suffer more than terminally ill adults.

[Faith No More]

I see no problem extending it to minors as long as all of the conditions are met.

[Tex]

Euthanasia is glorified suicide and is just as immoral.

[pocaracas]

Shouldn't this extension to minors also include some sort of parental agreement, if possible?

[Napoléon]

Euthanasia is glorified suicide and is just as immoral.

You know what's immoral?

Keeping someone alive who has no idea who they are and who is suffering in pain every single day. Keeping someone alive who does not want to live anymore as they wake up every morning in agony. Keeping someone alive who will never recover from a condition that makes their life hell every fucking second. Keeping someone alive who is in such a condition, who has in their own view nothing to live for, and who wouldn't survive otherwise without the use of extensive medical equipment.

That's fucking immoral.


Shove your fucked up morality up your ass.

[Ben Davis]

Sorry all, I can't help myself...

Euthanasia is glorified suicide and is just as immoral.

Go on then Tex, what's immoral about suicide?

[wwjs]

Euthanasia is glorified suicide and is just as immoral.

According to what? A book which gives instructions on how to own and beat slaves?

[Tex]

Euthanasia is glorified suicide and is just as immoral.

You know what's immoral?

Keeping someone alive who has no idea who they are and who is suffering in pain every single day. Keeping someone alive who does not want to live anymore as they wake up every morning in agony. Keeping someone alive who will never recover from a condition that makes their life hell every fucking second. Keeping someone alive who is in such a condition, who has in their own view nothing to live for, and who wouldn't survive otherwise without the use of extensive medical equipment.

That's fucking immoral.


Shove your fucked up morality up your ass.

Don't think I said any of this. I'm not pro-torture.

Sorry all, I can't help myself...

Euthanasia is glorified suicide and is just as immoral.

Go on then Tex, what's immoral about suicide?

It is the intentional destruction of all relationships: others, self, and God.

Euthanasia is glorified suicide and is just as immoral.

According to what? A book which gives instructions on how to own and beat slaves?

Funny, I don't think the bible mentions much on the ethics of suicide, at least directly. I get this from logic.