Belgium Approves Measure Allowing Doctors to Euthanize Children

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The Belgian Parliament voted today to extend euthanasia to children with disabilities, in a move pro-life advocates worldwide had been fearing would come and expand an already much-abused euthanasia law even further.

The 86-44 vote Thursday in the House of Representatives, with 12 abstentions, followed approval by the Belgian Senate in December. No age limit would be set, but the children who are euthanized would have ‘to possess the capacity of discernment.’

The legislation permits a child to request euthanasia, with the consent of his parents, if there is a terminal diagnosis accompanied by great pain with no available treatment options. The measure also extends euthanasia to persons suffering with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Religious and family groups are criticizing the push for child euthanasia, and hundreds of Belgians have taken to the streets in protest.

Leading pro-life groups including Christian Concern lobbied against the bill, with that group saying the bill ‘will permit children of all ages to choose to end their lives through the administration of a lethal injection.

‘Belgian officials have refused to allow for public input, such as a democratic vote, and are pushing the proposals through despite strong public opposition,’ the group said….

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H/t Grumpy Opinions.

LINKS:
http://grumpyelder.com/2014/02/belgium-approves-measure-allowing-doctors-to-euthanize-children/
http://www.lifenews.com/2014/02/13/belgium-approves-measure-allowing-doctors-to-euthanize-children/