The Belgian Act Of Euthanasia - 2583 Words

On March 3rd 2014, the law was changed in Belgium to abolish all age restrictions on euthanasia. This amendment allows euthanasia for terminally ill children who are exposed to â€Å"constant and unbearable suffering† (1). The act was passed in the Belgian Parliament with 86 votes in favour, and 44 against (with 12 abstentions). This amends Belgium’s previous law, â€Å"The Belgian Act on Euthanasia†, which was passed in 2002 (2), whereby euthanasia was only available to individuals over the age of eighteen or emancipated minors. There are several arguments in favour of this amendment including the belief that the rights of autonomy and justice must extend to children. Furthermore, prolonging life where the child has a loss of dignity and a reduced quality of life is seen by some as inhumane. In contrast, opponents of the amendment believe that the child’s right to life and doctor’s obligation to save life are both severely undermined. Opponents are concerned that a child does not possess the capacity to make the decision to end their own life. There is also the worry that granting paediatric euthanasia may lead to a ‘slippery slope’ whereby children could be euthanized without making a fully voluntary request. Despite the fact that public opinion was broadly in favour of the amendment (3), the question must be asked, was the amendment of this law in favour of murder or mercy? In order to understand this debate, the term euthanasia must be defined. Euthanasia is literally translatedShow MoreRelatedThe Debate On Euthanasia Is Never Ending1263 Words   |  6 Pages The debate on euthanasia is never ending. It is an important topic that debates whether assisted death is ethical or In spite of this euthanasia is not discriminatory towards the mentally ill. They are reasons and law Euthanasia is ‘painless inducement of a quick death’. It is is a long living debate that challenges the morality of life. 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There are two types of euthanasia, active and passive. Active euthanasia is euthanasia by performingRead MoreEuthanasia And Assisted Suicide : A Patient s Choice1742 Words   |  7 Pages Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide: A patient s choice in their type of death. When a patient is terminally ill or is experiencing extreme pain, often Euthanasia or Assisted Suicide can both be plausible options to end any suffering. Euthanasia is currently legalized in seven countries and parts of the United States (New Health Guide). This number is not likely to increase soon because of the high controversy, which is due to the very serious topic of this matter: a person s life. The general