Controversy Over Euthanasia in Belgium

In2002, Belgium legalized euthanasia for blindness, depression, anorexia nervosa,and for people who received a messed up sex change operation. Recently, there isa push to expand euthanasia for children. The proposed law would permiteuthanasia for suffering children under age 18 if they ask for it, theirparents agree, and experts state that the child understands his decision. Avote is projected to happen within the next few weeks.

Criticssay this will encourage a “culture of death,” while supportersclaim that the law is compassionate. Two thirds of Belgians support theproposed legislation. However, a recent poll revealed that of the supporters 75%of them said euthanizing a suffering child does not require the consent of thechild.

See Dale Hurd, Culture of Death: Belgium Eyes Child Euthanasia, Charisma News, Oct. 21, 2013.