(Scypre.com) – Researchers have discovered that euthanasia has been administered to individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities in the Netherlands. In a study conducted by specialists at Kingston University in the UK, several cases were reviewed, including five individuals under the age of 30 who cited autism as a factor in their decision to pursue legal euthanasia.
According to Kingston University’s report, factors directly related to intellectual disability and/or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were the sole cause of suffering in 21% of cases and a major contributing factor in 42% of cases. The study highlighted that doctors often concluded that intellectually challenged individuals had no prospects for improvement due to the absence of effective treatments for their disabilities.
The reasons given for seeking euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide (EAS) included social isolation and loneliness (77%), lack of resilience or coping strategies (56%), inflexibility in thinking or difficulty adapting to change (44%), and heightened sensitivity to stimuli (26%).
The study further revealed that one-third of the cases involved physicians acknowledging the absence of any potential for improvement, as ASD and intellectual disability are not treatable.
Palliative care specialist Irene Tuffrey-Wijne, one of the lead authors of the Kingston University report, found that Dutch doctors were legally administering euthanasia to patients who sought it due to their intellectual disabilities or mental conditions, which hindered them from leading a normal life. This information was reported by The Associated Press.
Among the records examined was the case of a Dutch woman in her 30s with autism and borderline personality disorder. Medical professionals determined that her conditions made it too difficult for her to form relationships and connect with others.
Tuffrey-Wijne expressed her certainty that these individuals were indeed suffering, but questioned whether society was truly accepting the notion that there was no alternative way to assist them besides death.
Dutch psychologist Dr. Bram Sizoo expressed his dismay at the increasing acceptance of assisted suicide and euthanasia among autistic youths. He noted that some of them appeared almost eager for death, believing it would alleviate not only their own problems but also those of their families.
The Royal Dutch Medical Association has given medical professionals considerable discretion in determining who qualifies for assisted suicide, providing few stringent guidelines or rules.