Newborns and Euthanasia
When a newborn's life is contested, the parents are the ones who determine their child’s future. The parents and the doctor both take part in making the decision. When there is persistent disagreement, the case may be taken to court where the decision is made. The factors taken into consideration when deciding the fate of a newborn include the cost of the treatment and the quality of life the newborn will have. The cost of the treatment includes medical resources and their availability. The newborn’s quality of life will depend on whether the treatment is applied, continued or ceased. This can also be classified as a crime under certain laws without the approval of parents. There are ongoing debates about parents' roles in choosing euthanasia for their children, and whether this can be considered voluntary euthanasia. Specifically, if considered voluntary euthanasia it is because the parents authorized it and they have a say in the life of their children. If this act is considered non-voluntary euthanasia it is because the patients were newborns and they could not speak for themselves.
Read more about this topic: Non-voluntary Euthanasia