By Michael Cook and originally published at MercatorNet's Bioedge Blog. The Dutch Health Minister, Edith Schippers, has earmarked almost 400,000 Euros for a study of whether to expand eligibility for euthanasia to children between 1 and 12. At the moment, children under 1 may be killed with the consent of their parents following criteria set out in the Groningen Protocols. Children older than 12 are already eligible.After neighbouring Belgium passed legislation in 2014 enabling child euthanasia, doctors and activists in the Netherlands are keen to catch up. Continue reading

Not only has the statute been subject to continual re-interpretation to the point where euthanasia for psychological reasons is now taking place, the parliament has also debated and passed an amendment to the 2002 law only two years ago that removed the lower age limit to now include children. In light of further and more recent events, it seems that change may be just around the corner once again. How does all this happen? While the words of a statute may stand, the conversation about interpretation never ceases. This is not necessarily evidence of some sinister plot by a person or group continually agitating for change. It is most likely simply the fact that while the lines may have been drawn at a certain place at a certain time, medical issues are rarely that neat and what may be a clear line in theory may well be somewhat blurred in practice. Add to that the possible sense of pressure on doctors, on the family, on the person themselves and even the ideal of informed consent will seem less important.It is simply not possible to construct a law that can defy and resist these pressures. That such pressures are extended and amplified by those whom we might call 'euthanasia enthusiasts' adds to the certainty that the story of the Belgian experiment with euthanasia is far from finished. Continue reading

By Wesley Smith There is no limit to the culture of death once it is fully off the leash.Dutch law allows euthanasia for children age 12 and over. But now a prominent pediatrician wants the age limits erased. Continue reading

If she lived in Belgium, she may well now be dead Readers may recall in mid-February news about a young Chilean girl suffering from cystic fibrosis appealing via youtube for the Chilean President to grant her wish to die by euthanasia.Only days later, when the video went viral. President Michelle Bachelet, also a trained pediatrician visited with Valentina Maureira, even posing for a 'selfie' on Valentina's hospital bed. Continue reading

  If assisted suicide proposals lead so quickly to calls for children to be considered for assisted suicide, then who could possibly be fully safe under such a regime?The Scotsman Newspaper is once again covering the idea of access to assisted suicide for minors as a bill passes through a committee in Holyrood, the nation's parliament. Continue reading

  By Alex SchadenbergExecutive Director - Euthanasia Prevention CoalitionCBC news reported that a Czech government advisor was forced to resign because he is promoting euthanasia for babies with disabilities. Continue reading

  The Daily Mail in Scotland has a front page article claiming that Scottish Children's Charities have called for the inclusion of euthanasia for children to be included in the reach of the euthanasia bill under debate in Holyrood (Scottish Parliament).One group has apparently called for the revision of the extant lower age limit in the bill of 16 years of age if the bill passes into law. No slippery slope eh? Continue reading

The South Australian Parliament has seen a procession of euthanasia bills in recent years, including the most recent one that MP Bob Such admitted to LifeSiteNews had no chance of passing. House member, Nick Goiran MLC, in April. Continue reading

This post first appeared on Alex Schadenberg's Blog: That this House:(a) noting that:(i) the Belgium Parliament has recently authorised the direct killing of children through euthanasia;(ii) euthanasia or assisted suicide is now routinely performed in Belgium and the Netherlands on persons with no terminal illness but with psychiatric disorders such as anorexia or depression or with disabilities such as blindness; and(iii) Dr Philip Nitschke during a recent visit to Perth offered instruction in methods of suicide including how to illegally obtain pentobarbitone, a schedule 8 poison, and how to use nitrogen as an undetectable means of ending life;(b) condemns the practice of child euthanasia;(c) commends palliative care as an appropriate response to terminal and chronic illness;(d) affirms the value of every human life including those with mental illness or disability; and(e) endorses suicide prevention as the appropriate response to all those who for whatever reason may think life is not worth living. I was not involved in the decision-making process and the doctor who gave her the injection never contacted me. ...  Continue reading