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Dorieder Phillips

Professor Cuddy

English 102

February 19, 2019

Neonatal Euthanasia

Since I was a young girl, I have always had an interest in the medical field. Pediatrics has

been one of my greatest passions, or more specifically, Neonatology, the study of premature

babies. This interest continued throughout my high school career and has played a huge factor in

the choice of my current major, pre-nursing. Upon graduating, and obtaining my accreditation as

a Registered Nurse, I plan on continuing my studies, as well as working inside of a neonatal

intensive care unit of a Children’s Hospital. That being said, my research topic choice is

Neonatal Euthanasia.

Neonatal Euthanasia is “​the act of intentionally ending the life of a terminally ill and

suffering person in a quick and painless manner for reasons of compassion and

mercy”​.(Vizcarrando) This topic stood out to me, mainly because it reminded me a lot about the

abortion controversy. Similarly in this topic, I found an abundance of different arguments, that

both supported and challenged the issue at hand. The articles I found were backed by evidence

from credible sources such as, ​The US National Library of Medicine​. In my research paper, I

plan to focus on the argument that Neonatal Euthanasia should not be a considered protocol in

the lives of neonates. I will argue that euthanasia is inhumane, and should be considered as a

form of infanticide.
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While further analyzing, and researching my topic, I managed to stumble across a

plethora of articles that supported my argument. Euthanasia is a crime, and should be considered

as such, however it is legal today in many European countries. The Groningen Protocol is the

supporting act put in place permitting physicians with the right to perform this immorality.

During my research, I also found that counter arguments often emphasized the strict structure of

the Groningen Protocol. The protocol includes confirming that the neonate is diagnosed and

enduring pain, parental consent is given, and assuring euthanizing is done harmlessly. Although

it is important to take all sides into consideration, it is also important to ask yourselves when and

why are we willing to allow a physician, or another human being determine who lives and who

does not?

I think the topic and argument I have chosen is important to focus on, because the choices

we make now, will affect our future generations to come, and by allowing this, we would be

teaching them to discard of their “problems”. In this case scenario, if we give people the option

to euthanize their ill babies now, further down the line people will begin to normalize

euthanization. In other words, they may begin to euthanize neonates for selfish purposes, such as,

not wanting a child with down syndrome. Neonatal birth is obviously something that has been

taking place for a very long time, and will not go anywhere, and due to this, we should be aware

of all options offered regarding it.

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Works Cited

Vanden Eijnden, Serge and Dana Martinovici. “Neonatal euthanasia: A claim for an immoral

law” Clinical ethics vol. 8,2-3 (2013): 75-84.

Vizcarrondo, Felipe E. “Neonatal euthanasia: The Groningen Protocol” Linacre quarterly vol.

81,4 (2014): 388-92.