BELGIAN LAWMAKERS ARE to vote this week to allow euthanasia for minors facing “unbearable physical suffering”.

If adopted, as widely expected, the legislation will make Belgium only the second country to allow terminally-ill children end their lives. However, there is an age restriction of 12 in the Netherlands but Brussels will have no limits at all.

The criteria includes the child being conscious, discerning and “in a hopeless medical situation of constant and unbearable suffering that cannot be eased and which will cause death in the short-term”.

Counselling by doctors and a psychiatrist or psychologist is also required, as is approval by the parents.

What do you think about the highly-controversial issue? Should countries with euthanasia extend laws to cover children?

Poll Results:

No, but it's OK for adults (888)

Yes (629)

No, there should be no euthanasia for anybody (567)

Yes
No, but it's OK for adults
No, there should be no euthanasia for anybody

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Poll: Should countries with euthanasia extend laws to cover children?

Poll Results:

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.