Neonatal euthanasia: A claim for an immoral law.
Active ending of the life of a newborn baby is a crime. Yet its clandestine practise is a reality in several European countries. In this paper, we defend the necessity to institute a proper legal frame for what we define as active neonatal euthanasia. The only legal attempt so far, the Dutch Groningen protocol, is not satisfactory. We critically analyse this protocol, as well as several other clinical practises and philosophical stances. Furthermore, we have tried to integrate our opinions as clinicians into a law project, with the purpose of pinpointing several issues, specific of perinatality that should be addressed by such a law. In conclusion, we argue that the legalisation of neonatal euthanasia under exceptional circumstances is the only way to avoid all the "well-intentioned" malpractices associated with ending life at the very dawn of it.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, CHU Charleroi, Belgium ; Fetal Medicine Department, CHU Charleroi, Belgium.
Serge
S
Vanden Eijnden
Dana
D
Martinovici
Groningen protocol; Neonatal active euthanasia; decision making; postnatal abortion