A Child Was Euthanized in Belgium for 1st Time

Health

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(Newser) – Belgium has euthanized a child since becoming the first country to eliminate age restrictions for euthanasia two years ago, CNN reports. According to the BBC, the 17-year-old was in "unbearable physical pain" and was euthanized in the past week. The teen had an incurable disease and requested euthanasia. No other information was provided. The teen's death was announced Saturday, Reuters reports.

Belgium legalized euthanasia for people with "constant and unbearable physical or mental suffering that cannot be alleviated" in 2002. It expanded its euthanasia law to cover all children under the age of 18 in 2014. In order to be euthanized, children must be able to understand what it means and get consent from their parent or guardian and "death must be expected in the near future." Belgium is the only country in the world that allows euthanasia without age restriction. The Netherlands allows it for children older than 12.