The Netherlands has said it will broaden its euthanasia regulations to allow doctors the ability to end the lives of terminally ill children between 1 and 12 years old.
The rule change is an adjustment of an existing protocol and doesn’t require parliamentary approval.
The decision comes after years of requests from some Dutch doctors to lower the age minimum of 12 for euthanasia, as well as debate within the cabinet.
“This is a very complex subject that deals with harrowing situations that you would not wish on anyone,” Dutch Health Minister Ernst Kuipers said.
“I am pleased that after intensive consultation with all parties involved, we have come to a solution with which we can help these terminally ill children, their parents, and also their practitioners.”
The new regulations would apply to terminally ill children who are in unbearable pain from their disease and for whom palliative care can’t bring relief. According to the Dutch Health Ministry, this would apply to “a small group of about five to 10 children” a year.
The World Medical Association in 1987 issued a declaration on euthanasia that was reaffirmed in 2005.
Many people remain opposed to euthanasia due to the ethical or religious belief that euthanasia is a violation of the sanctity of life, that life is inherently valuable and should not be intentionally ended—even in suffering. Some have expressed concern that euthanasia could result in a desensitization to the value of human life.
“Once the power to kill is bestowed on physicians, the inherent nature of the doctor/patient relationship is adversely affected. A patient can no longer be sure what role the doctor will play–healer or killer,” according to the Patients Rights Council, an advocacy group in the United States.
With regard to euthanasia in children, concerns expressed by doctors and activists over the years include that making it legal for children could set a dangerous precedent that could result in further abuse or exploitation.
2nd Country to Allow Euthanasia for Young Children
In 2002, the Netherlands became the first country in the world to legalize euthanasia. Belgium followed later in the same year.The latest changes in the Netherlands aren’t unprecedented—in 2014, Belgium became the first country to pass legislation to allow euthanasia for young children, with their consent.
Euthanasia is currently subject to strict criteria in the Netherlands. The procedure is allowed in infants younger than 12 months and children older than 12 years—although they must obtain parental consent if they are under 16. Those between 16 and 18 must still involve parents in their decision.
In the Netherlands, all cases of euthanasia must be reported to medical review boards.
Doctors who carry out euthanasia are required to be convinced that the patient who requested assisted dying did so voluntarily, that their suffering is unbearable, and that it has no chance of improvement.
In 2022, only one instance of euthanasia for a minor between 12 and 16 years old was reported in the Netherlands, figures from regional euthanasia review boards show.
Since euthanasia was first made legal, the number of euthanasia deaths in the Netherlands has increased nearly fivefold (480.44 percent). In 2003, 1,815 deaths by euthanasia were recorded.
