Belgium Considers Euthanasia Law For Minors

Belgium is considering an expansion of its decade-old euthanasia law to allow minors and Alzheimer’s sufferers to seek permission to die. The Socialist Party’s proposal appears likely to be approved to remove the age limit (of 18 years) for electing euthanasia.

The new law allows for “the law to be extended to minors if they are capable of discernment or affected by an incurable illness or suffering that we cannot alleviate.”

Socialist Senator and drafter Philippe Mahoux said that there had been cases of adolescents who “had the capacity to decide” their future.

I have been a long supporter of the right to die as a basic human right. However, I have great reservations about allowing minors to make such a decision. The articles that I have read do not mention parental consent, which I assume is required in such cases. If parental consent is required, do you believe children should be allowed to elect euthanasia?

Source: France 24