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First-ever case of euthanasia on very young child, 2, was handled well (nltimes.nl)
submitted 2 days ago by majster@lemmy.zip to c/europe@feddit.org
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Excerpt:

The doctor who performed the Netherlands’ first case of euthanasia on a child under 12 did so with due care, the supervising committee concluded after investigating. The patient, a child of nearly 2 years who suffered from several severe medical conditions, died at the end of 2025.

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[-] B0rax@feddit.org 168 points 2 days ago

As it seams that nobody reads the article and is just jumping to conclusions…

This child was born very prematurely, at only 26 weeks of gestation. It quickly became apparent that the child had suffered severe brain damage, resulting in severe cerebral palsy and a visual impairment. This was compounded by frequent and severe epileptic seizures, which were largely unresponsive to medication. This left the child restless and unable to sleep for long periods. They also had mucus in their lungs, which made breathing and swallowing very difficult. 

Given the cumulative effect of these conditions, it was clear that the child would not live to adulthood. The doctor also determined that their suffering could not be alleviated through medical treatment. The doctor and parents, therefore, decided to actively end the child’s life.

Now think about that. That is a child that was not supposed to be alive in the first place (26 weeks! A pregnancy is usually around 40 weeks). It is suffering. The most humane way forward (for the child) is to end it’s suffering.

[-] minorkeys@sh.itjust.works 7 points 1 day ago

With great power comes great responsibility. We can maintain life in circumstances that otherwise would result in death but we have to deal with consequences of the variables that would not have allowed life. It is a very grey and uncomfortable situation to have our capability exceed our wisdom.

[-] WhatAmLemmy@lemmy.world 106 points 2 days ago

They suffered over 2 years of trauma trying to find a way for their child to live. The most humane way forward for everyone involved was to end the child's suffering. I'm glad they had the option.

[-] WoodScientist@lemmy.world 12 points 2 days ago

Yeah, this particular case is nothing to worry about. It was handled well. The real issue is that we've seen medical aid in dying be expanded very broadly in some countries. We've seen it expand into mental health issues. The real risk is that parents will start seeking assisted suicide for their children with Downs Syndrome or other developmental disabilities.

[-] phoenixz@lemmy.ca 1 points 16 hours ago

I can't speak for other countries but so far in the Netherlands the rules are open, but extremely strict

Quite recently they allowed a teenager with mental issues to end her life with dignity because she was suffering for years with no view on any type of recovery. Yes, that is possible, but its also really difficult to get. No doctor would allow euthenasia on a child just because they are a bother to the parents, and IIRC, any and all of these requests have to pass panels of people who decided if it will be allowed or not.

The goal here always is to stop needless suffering

[-] B0rax@feddit.org 13 points 2 days ago

Then let’s talk about that if we see any signs of that happening.

From what I see, the Netherlands are not at any risk where you’d need to worry about it.

[-] Natanael@infosec.pub 2 points 1 day ago

https://epaper.nationalpost.com/article/281483576985644

Canada has a big problem where some medical providers are essentially offering noting but medically assisted dying to some disabled patients who could do just fine with some funding for accessibility

[-] majster@lemmy.zip -3 points 2 days ago

Ok lets talk about it: https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/may/16/dutch-woman-euthanasia-approval-grounds-of-mental-suffering

29 years old, depression

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-netherlands-euthanasia-idINKCN12C2JL/

Proposal that didn't get trough: pensioneers who feel their life is complete

[-] qevlarr@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

Don't bring "completed life" into this, it's a completely different discussion

[-] B0rax@feddit.org 10 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Sorry, but this is assisted suicide and not what I meant. Here the persons decide for themselves that they don’t want to live anymore. It is not very much different than them jumping off a cliff.

The OP here is about parents deciding for their newborn suffering child which is not able to decide for themselves.

[-] Professorozone@lemmy.world 6 points 2 days ago

If I was suffering like that, I would want that option. Of course, I'm an adult so....

this post was submitted on 22 Sep 2026
149 points (96.3% liked)

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