Euthanasia for children and young people?
In February 2014 the Belgian parliament voted to extend the existing euthanasia law to cover children under the age of 18. The law sanctions euthanasia for children with terminal or incurable conditions who are near death, suffering 'constant and unbearable pain', and whose parents and health professionals agree with the decision. The child also has to be interviewed by a psychologist or psychiatrist to ascertain and certify their 'capacity of discernment'.
RCN Chair of Nursing Research, School of Healthcare Sciences, Cardiff University.
Daniel
D
Kelly
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005060:Europe; D005065:Euthanasia / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult