Child Euthanasia Law Passes Through Parliament in Belgium

Euthanasia has been legal for adults in Belgium for a dozen years, and now the age limit on the practice is about to be lifted in that country.

The Belgian parliament passed a law Thursday making euthanasia an option for all ages but including some stipulations for children: They need to be terminally ill, request to die repeatedly and be enduring unbearable suffering, as the BBC reported after the vote:

Parliament in Belgium has passed a bill allowing euthanasia for terminally ill children without any age limit, by 86 votes to 44, with 12 abstentions.

When, as expected, the bill is signed by the king, Belgium will become the first country in the world to remove any age limit on the practice.

It may be requested by terminally ill children who are in great pain and also have parental consent.

Opponents argue children cannot make such a difficult decision.

–Posted by Kasia Anderson