A step too far or a step in the wrong direction? A critique of the 2014 Amendment to the Belgian Euthanasia Act.

IF 1.6 Q2 ETHICS Monash Bioethics Review Pub Date : 2021-12-01 Epub Date: 2021-12-31 DOI:10.1007/s40592-021-00147-z
Joanna Murdoch
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Abstract

In 2014, Article 3 of the the Belgian Euthanasia Act (2002) (the Euthanasia Act) was amended ('the Amendment') to include the 'capacity for discernment' requirement. This paper explores the implications of this highly controversial Amendment. I remain unconvinced of the benefits for children < 12 years old suffering chronic or terminal illnesses. In Part One, I argue that the phrase 'capacity for discernment' is problematic and vulnerable to abuse; neither a consistent, widely accepted definition of the phrase has been established nor a standardised method or procedure to adequately gauge a minor's capacity for discernment. In Part Two I advance the argument that specifically for children < 12 years, aggressive and sophisticated paediatric palliative care treatment, which risks, but does not intend death, is more ethically justified than Euthanasia treatment. A definition of a child's interests is best achieved through a care-based ethics framework; namely, the child's relationship with their parents and family members, their doctors and medical practitioners is held to be an interest of crucial importance for the child. I conclude that paediatric palliative care arguably better promotes and upholds this interest.

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是走得太远了还是走错了方向?对2014年比利时安乐死法案修正案的批评。
2014年,《比利时安乐死法》(2002年)第3条(“安乐死法”)进行了修订(“修正案”),以包括“识别能力”要求。本文探讨了这一极具争议的修正案的含义。我仍然不相信这对儿童有好处
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来源期刊
CiteScore
2.70
自引率
6.20%
发文量
16
期刊介绍: Monash Bioethics Review provides comprehensive coverage of traditional topics and emerging issues in bioethics. The Journal is especially concerned with empirically-informed philosophical bioethical analysis with policy relevance. Monash Bioethics Review also regularly publishes empirical studies providing explicit ethical analysis and/or with significant ethical or policy implications. Produced by the Monash University Centre for Human Bioethics since 1981 (originally as Bioethics News), Monash Bioethics Review is the oldest peer reviewed bioethics journal based in Australia–and one of the oldest bioethics journals in the world. An international forum for empirically-informed philosophical bioethical analysis with policy relevance. Includes empirical studies providing explicit ethical analysis and/or with significant ethical or policy implications. One of the oldest bioethics journals, produced by a world-leading bioethics centre. Publishes papers up to 13,000 words in length. Unique New Feature: All Articles Open for Commentary
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