Researchers have found that almost 40 Dutch citizens with autism or intellectual disabilities have been euthanized between 2012 and 2021.
Over the course of the 10-year analysis, 60,000 people chose to be euthanized in the Netherlands.
Of those 60,000 cases, 900 have been released.
The study found that 39 of the 900 cases involved people with autism or an intellectual disability.
The Kingston University investigation of Dutch euthanasia cases found that five individuals younger than 30 were euthanized for autism.
Experts have inquired whether euthanasia cases go beyond the law’s original intent, as the law initially targeted those with cancer.
In order to be euthanized, patients must cite “unbearable” anguish.
Eight individuals said the cause of their anguish was social isolation and an inability to cope or adjust to change.
Reporting from New York Post:
One of the report’s main authors Irene Tuffrey-Wijne, a palliative care specialist at Kingston University, questioned the ethics of ending the lives of the autistic. “There’s no doubt in my mind these people were suffering,” she said. “But is society really OK with sending this message, that there’s no other way to help them and it’s just better to be dead?” ... Dutch psychiatrist Dr. Bram Sizzo was disturbed by the trend. “Some of them are almost excited at the prospect of death,” Sizoo said. “They think this will be the end of their problems and the end of their family’s problems.”
