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.
“The end of life for this [age] group is the only reasonable alternative to the child’s unbearable and hopeless suffering,” according to the Dutch government.
“This is a very complex subject that deals with harrowing situations that you would not wish on anyone,” Dutch Health Minister Ernst Kuipers said….