First-ever case of euthanasia on very young child, 2, was handled well: Dutch committee
nltimes.nl
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.

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.

  • B0rax@feddit.orgEnglish
    169·
    7 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.worksEnglish
      7·
      6 days 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.worldEnglish
      107·
      7 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.worldEnglish
        12·
        7 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.

        • B0rax@feddit.orgEnglish
          13·
          7 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.

        • Phoenixz@lemmy.caEnglish
          1·
          5 days 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