新奇事件簿 比利时准许对儿童实施安乐死

Lawmakers in Belgium have passed a bill that will allow euthanasia for terminally ill children. The bill was passed with 86 votes for the motion, 44 against, and 12 abstentions. It becomes the first nation to allow euthanasia for children. Belgium's controversial law applies only to terminally ill children who are ingreat pain. There are several conditions that must be met for any act of euthanasia to take place. The child must be in full possession of his/her mental skills and request the act themselves. It requires an adult's consent and the written approval of a medical team, who must submit a psychological report. In addition, there must be no treatment available that would alleviate¹ the child's suffering and distress².

比利时通过了一项让重症患儿享有安乐死权利的法案。有86人投票支持，44人反对，12人弃权。比利时成为首个允许儿童享有安乐死的国家。这项饱受争议的法律仅仅适用于饱受煎熬的重症患儿。实施安乐死必须要满足多种情况。儿童的意志清醒，并主动提出要求。安乐死还需要一位成年人的同意，以及医疗团队的书面文件，递交儿童的心里报告。并且，目前没有能够减轻儿童痛苦的治疗手段。

The law has created a storm of opposition³ worldwide. Opponents called it immoral⁴ and said children were not mature enough to make such a decision. One man present at the vote stood up and screamed "murderers" at the lawmakers. The Christian⁵ Science Monitor makes the case that: "In the 21st century, when parents the world over worry that children are growing up too quickly, Belgium is poised⁶ to hand kids one more responsibility." It adds that: "Allowing children, who aren't even old enough to drive or vote, to decide when it's time to die is one step too far." Last week, 160 Belgian paediatricians claimed the law was unnecessary because modern medicine could alleviate pain.

这项法律在全球引起轩然大波。反对者称这样的做法是不道德地，并称儿童还不成熟，不能自己做决定。一名男子在投票过程中起立，向立法者叫嚷到“杀人犯”。基督教科学箴言报认为：“21世纪，有父母担心孩子长得太快，比利时却随时准备着让孩子肩负起更多的责任。”它还说：“允许孩子来选择死亡的时间，这未免太过分，他们还没有到能够开车，或是投票的年龄。”上周，160名比利时医护人员称现代医学能够让他们减轻痛苦，这项法律的通过是没有必要的。

1 alleviate   

v.减轻，缓和，缓解(痛苦等)

参考例句：

• The doctor gave her an injection to alleviate the pain.医生给她注射以减轻疼痛。
• Nothing could alleviate his distress.什么都不能减轻他的痛苦。

2 distress   

n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛

参考例句：

• Nothing could alleviate his distress.什么都不能减轻他的痛苦。
• Please don't distress yourself.请你不要忧愁了。

3 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

4 immoral   

adj.不道德的，淫荡的，荒淫的，有伤风化的

参考例句：

• She was questioned about his immoral conduct toward her.她被询问过有关他对她的不道德行为的情况。
• It is my belief that nuclear weapons are immoral.我相信使核武器是不邪恶的。

5 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。

6 poised   

a.摆好姿势不动的

参考例句：

• The hawk poised in mid-air ready to swoop. 老鹰在半空中盘旋，准备俯冲。
• Tina was tense, her hand poised over the telephone. 蒂娜心情紧张，手悬在电话机上。