Belgium Considering Law to Allow Euthanasia for Children

The nation of Belgium currently allows adults over the age of 18 to seek euthanasia, and now they are considering a controversial new law that would allow children and adults with dementia to also have the “right to die.” According to this story in The Washington Post, “Advocates argue that euthanasia for children, with the consent of their parents, is necessary to give families an option in a desperately painful situation.” There are specific requirements that must be met in order to qualify for euthanasia, but the idea of allowing children to voluntarily request to be put to death is still obviously not sitting very well with opponents of euthanasia laws. At a Senate hearing to discuss the new measure, Catholic Archbishop Andre-Joseph Leonard noted the danger of allowing children to make such an incomprehensible decision. “It is strange that minors are considered legally incompetent in key areas, such as getting married, but might (be able) to decide to die,” he testified …