A contentious proposal has emerged in Canada, where medical professionals are suggesting that euthanasia could be a viable option for newborns with severe disabilities. This proposition has sparked intense debate and concern over the country’s expanding euthanasia and assisted suicide framework.
Dr. Louis Roy, representing the Quebec College of Physicians (CMQ), addressed the Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying, advocating for euthanasia in cases of infants with profound deformities and critical medical conditions. In a recent affirmation, the CMQ reiterated their stance on the matter.
According to the CMQ, ending the life of a child under such circumstances could be considered a form of “care.”
This recommendation has been met with significant opposition. Wesley J. Smith, a senior fellow at the Discovery Institute’s Center on Human Exceptionalism, remarked, “Canada has jumped so enthusiastically into the euthanasia abyss that I have little doubt that infanticide will eventually be allowed there. It’s only logical. If killing is an acceptable answer to suffering, why limit the killing to adults?” Read more.
This discussion surfaces amidst a backdrop of Canada’s evolving euthanasia policies. In 2021, the Canadian Parliament lifted the prerequisite for a foreseeable natural death for those seeking assisted suicide, a significant shift from the initial legislation established in 2016. Details here.
Looking ahead, legislation is set to be introduced in 2024, making euthanasia permissible solely on mental health grounds by March 2027. Additionally, recommendations have been made to extend euthanasia access to minors under certain conditions and to prisoners. Learn more.
Should the CMQ’s suggestions be enacted, Canada would align with the Netherlands, where euthanasia is allowed for infants under one year old, provided parental consent is given, and the child is experiencing unbearable suffering. The Atlantic pointed out the Netherlands’ precedent, noting it was the first nation to adopt this practice since Nazi Germany in 1939. Read more.
Trudo Lemmens, a law professor at the University of Toronto, once supported Canada’s assisted suicide laws but now warns of the potential for abuse. Ahead of Kim Leadbeater’s assisted suicide Bill’s Second Reading, Lemmens stated, “One of the most worrying aspects of the Canadian experiment is it shows that once you start legalising, there is a risk that a significant number of physicians normalise this practice.” More insights.
“It’s like putting fuel on the fire. I’m not sure it can be easily contained.”
In 2023, 15,343 individuals in Canada utilized euthanasia and assisted suicide, accounting for 4.7% of all deaths that year.
Right To Life UK spokesperson Catherine Robinson expressed strong opposition, stating, “Advocating for euthanasia for disabled children is appalling and a clear form of eugenic discrimination. Babies with severe disabilities deserve care, and their families need support. Canada should not be considering euthanising its most vulnerable citizens.” Source
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
