Should Children Have the Right to Die?
When a terminally ill 17-year-old became the first minor to exercise the right to die in Belgium, a public outcry ensued, with some saying that the removal of an age limit on euthanasia denies children the right to life. In fact, Belgium's law strengthens that right.
PRINCETON – Since 2002, Belgium has permitted terminally or incurably ill adults to request and receive euthanasia from a doctor. In February 2014, the Belgian parliament removed the provision of the country’s law on euthanasia that restricted the law’s use to adults. That led to an outcry.