By — Megan Thompson Megan Thompson Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/poll-support-belgiums-euthanasia-law Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Poll: Do you support Belgium’s euthanasia law? World Jan 17, 2015 11:30 AM EDT Belgium has the most liberal euthanasia law in the world. And although the country is predominantly Roman Catholic, national surveys show overwhelming support in Belgium for the right to die by euthanasia. Since the law passed in 2002, the number of Belgians choosing euthanasia has steadily risen each year, with more than 1,800 dying this way in 2013 — an average of about five people per day. Graphic credit: Lisa Overton/NewsHour Weekend In 2014, Belgium made headlines when it became the first country in the world to extend euthanasia to terminally ill children of any age, although no cases have occurred so far. Additionally, it’s not only terminally ill patients who can request euthanasia — psychiatric patients with longstanding and debilitating mental suffering like depression can also qualify. Under the law, two doctors much approve a patient’s request for euthanasia — and three doctors must agree in the case of psychiatric patients. Do you support Belgium’s euthanasia law? Do you support Belgium’s euthanasia law?We want to know what you think — do you support Belgium’s euthanasia law? Take our poll and sound off in the comments below. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Megan Thompson Megan Thompson Megan Thompson shoots, produces and reports on-camera for PBS NewsHour Weekend. Her report "Costly Generics" earned an Emmy nomination and won Gracie and National Headliner Awards. She was also recently awarded a Rosalynn Carter Fellowship to report on the issue of mental health. Previously, Thompson worked for the PBS shows and series Need to Know, Treasures of New York, WorldFocus and NOW on PBS. Prior to her career in journalism she worked in research and communications on Capitol Hill. She originally hails from the great state of Minnesota and holds a BA from Wellesley College and a MA in Journalism from New York University. @megbthompson
Belgium has the most liberal euthanasia law in the world. And although the country is predominantly Roman Catholic, national surveys show overwhelming support in Belgium for the right to die by euthanasia. Since the law passed in 2002, the number of Belgians choosing euthanasia has steadily risen each year, with more than 1,800 dying this way in 2013 — an average of about five people per day. Graphic credit: Lisa Overton/NewsHour Weekend In 2014, Belgium made headlines when it became the first country in the world to extend euthanasia to terminally ill children of any age, although no cases have occurred so far. Additionally, it’s not only terminally ill patients who can request euthanasia — psychiatric patients with longstanding and debilitating mental suffering like depression can also qualify. Under the law, two doctors much approve a patient’s request for euthanasia — and three doctors must agree in the case of psychiatric patients. Do you support Belgium’s euthanasia law? Do you support Belgium’s euthanasia law?We want to know what you think — do you support Belgium’s euthanasia law? Take our poll and sound off in the comments below. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now