Ever since 2000, three nations have passed Euthanasia laws. Luxembourg, Netherlands and Belgium. Belgium approved the Euthanasia law last week. However what is scary is that these laws state that children can be euthanized. even those that have Autism. Another thing that is scary is other European countries have similar laws that are in the works. So just how do these laws work? Last year while I was attending an autism symposium a lecturer gave a great detail on how these laws work. If a child has autism, or any other disability and the parents go before a panel of doctors, then that child can be euthanized. Belgium’s law though skips the panel that if a parent can find a doctor who agrees with them then the child can be euthanized.
Luxembourg’s law works like the Netherlands it is dubbed the Mercy Bill. But a lot of people ask how could countries and parents do such a thing? What I think is pathetic is that some parents in these countries have said that they chose euthanasia for their autistic children cause they were a burden to them and they could not handle it. That is not mercy that is murder. Doctors over in Europe have said that it saves the nation’s money cause if the autistic people are euthanized then it saves these nations’ health care cost. I’m focusing on Autism cause I”m Autistic, but these laws have been used to put down other children with chronic health problems or disabilities. The bad thing is while this is murder, it is all legal. According to the lecturer at the Autism Symposium bills like those mentioned above that would make this horrible crime legal or in the works in Austria, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Another thing that is bad is that the courts in these countries have sided with the doctors
In fact one could argue that this is genocide as it is eliminating a group of people in this case people on the spectrum. One could also argue that these laws are racial, cause it is saying “if you are not normal than you do not deserve to live”. It is also sending the message if you are Autistic you have no place in our country. I find it disturbing that parents are wanting this, doctors are wanting this and lawmakers in Europe are eager to pass such laws. If you are on the spectrum in Europe going to the doctor is now like a death sentence. This is a civil rights issue cause Autistic people have a place in this world.
Could this happen in America?
right now no as this is illegal, but like Europe all it takes is a new generation to get replaced in government that would be for this. Here is how it could happen a new generation of lawmakers who do not know Autism and are very informed decide that those with disabilities have no place, so they introduce laws and make it appealing such as Mercy Acts and sell it that euthanasia is mercy. before you know it it becomes law. That is how it happened in Europe. Now as I said this probably won’t happen in the United States but if a generation grows up that does not know Autism then that could be a problem that is why we need Autism Awareness.
place in this world
Autistic people have a place in this world. These countries that put to death do not know what they are losing. We that are on the spectrum can do great things. Here are some Examples. Bill Gates is on the spectrum and he created Microsoft products. Temple has Autism and she has made progress in Animal medicine as well as Autism. I myself have Autism and I earned my Masters degree. So we do have a place in this world.