Now, in the Netherlands, a woman was lethally injected because of severe tinnitus. From the DutchNews.nl story:
A special clinic in The Hague, set up to help people whose doctors do not support euthanasia, has been reprimanded for helping a 47-year-old woman with chronic tinnitus to die, broadcaster Nos says on Monday. The independent commission charged with monitoring how Dutch euthanasia rules are applied recognises that extreme tinnitus could be a reason for mercy killing but said Gaby Olthuis should have undergone further psychiatric research.
The story mentions a potential prosecution. That threat has no teeth. I recall one case in which a doctor killed a disabled baby — murder under Netherlander law — and received a three-week suspended sentence. Ditto a doctor who euthanized an anorexia patient — and the medical association was up in arms.
I have moderate tinnitus. It ain’t fun. And I am sure louder ringing than I currently experience would be very disturbing. But killed for it?
Euthanasia is a voracious beast, its hunger never assuaged.