Aiding the Death of Young Children: Ethical Issues (IN: Last Rights? Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia Debated, edited by M M Uhlmann)

This chapter investigates questions concerning euthanasia among children. The term euthanasia is used to encompass deaths that result from active intervention & deaths that ensue when treatment is ended. The differences between the practice of euthanasia among adults & among children are discussed. Issues concerning the rights of parents & the status of children are addressed. The author suggests a new concept of injury of continued existence & draws on some of its implications with respect to a duty to prevent suffering. Some remaining questions are outlined.