Netherlands to broaden euthanasia rules to cover children of all ages

The Netherlands is to widen its euthanasia regulations to include the possibility of doctors assisting in the death of terminally ill children aged between one and 12.

The new rules would apply to between five and 10 children a year who suffer unbearably from their disease, have no hope of improvement and for whom palliative care cannot bring relief, the government said on Friday.

“The end of life for this group is the only reasonable alternative to the child’s unbearable and hopeless suffering,” it said in a statement.

The Netherlands became the first country in the world to legalise euthanasia under strict conditions in 2002. All cases must be reported to medical review boards. The law already provided possibilities for euthanasia involving terminally ill babies until their first birthday and for children over 12.

Only one instance of euthanasia for a minor aged between 12 and 16 was reported in 2022, figures from regional review boards show.

The Netherlands will not be the first to allow doctors to assist in the death of children of all ages. Belgium has allowed it since 2014.


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Comments (52)

"Please take stock of what you're saying" from above: What do you think I'm saying?

How do you think an 18 month old child would get along with reciting "o? ma?i padme hu?" in the days and hours before their death?
@op to be confronted with such a horrifying situation is unimaginable. One's own children, how can we do that, or not do that! Horses, pets, never a question (why I wonder), but a 1-3 year old or a 12 year old non-verbal incapable of self determination, how how how?
I think 'how can we do that, or not do that' encapsulates the sentiment very well indeed.
is because I am not a qualified teacher, i have simply tried to explain causes and certainty of our sufferings
Only qualified teacher can teach Buddha Dharma
No one culture or religion has an exclusive hold on the true nature of things.
Do you have personal opinions with respect to medical practise?
My illness isn't cancer, Rob, it's just painful and debilitating. The chemotherapy drug I was taking was more life threatening than my illness, but it was disease modifying, it dampened down the pain and increased my mobility.

I've had a near death experience 30 years ago, so I'm not worried about that.

When you say the age of the person doesn't matter when it comes to reciting the chant, do you mean that someone could recite the chant for a terminally ill, non-verbal child?

Do you take pain relief?
the mantra sound creates a vibration that is soothing.
Best you ask qualified teacher I'm not and don't understand non-verbal whether mean no hearing or what i dunno, however the suffering karma was created by that person, and I believe that nobody should interfere, I posted a link you can use to ask for qualified advice as I can't answer you question because I don't know.

The hospital insisted i take x2 Panamax every 8 hours after the operation to expedite recovery otherwise no i don't take painkiller of any other type or any other drug for that matter. I strongly urge you to contact the Dharma centre in London I know they offer qualified advice and provide online support
Non-verbal means 'can't speak', so in the case of terminally ill children between the ages of 1-12 years old, it will be those too young to have language, or those too ill.

I was asking how you might soothe a child who can't say the mantra.
your welcome
I have listened, thank you Rob.

What does it mean and what is it for?

I've also been listening to Om Mani Padme Hum being sung.
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jac_the_gripper

jac_the_gripper

Tonyrefail, South Glamorgan, Wales, UK

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