The contemporary ethical issue of child euthanasia

The ethical discourse about euthanasia is a rather controversial topic, recent lowering of age requirements just made it more relevant. This study aims to present the reader with the contemporary legislations and practical methods about different forms of euthanasia concerning minors. As a reformed christian, it is alarming to watch, how the legislations about euthanasia are becoming more and more accepted, defined and upgraded in recent years. The latest update happened just last year, in 2024, when the Netherlands gave green light to the practice of euthanising children aged between 1 and 12 years. Even though the authorities and several physicians are involved in the process, and they claim that it is a well documented and safe practice, many feel that they have crossed a dangerous border. As such, I felt compelled to research this topic, and in this study about child euthanasia, I aim to track the history, legislations, ethical discourse, the psychological aspects concerning its’ theory and practice in Europe today. At the end of my work I evaluate these findings based on the protestant reformed tradition, a lens that I believe, many are still looking through in Europe to this day.

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