For me the difference is a fetus carried through to birth has become a viable human unless it requires life support to keep it alive. I doubt, given the high degree of controversy regarding development during gestation, that after birth euthanasia would ever be acceptable to the majority.

My first child Ian was seemingly normal when he was born. As he grew we noticed that he was slower than other kids in developing. Ian was late to talk, walk and never managed to be potty trained. We took him to hospital so many times, especially after he suffered with epileptic fits. Finally when Ian was 7 he was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease called homocystinuria. An inability of his body to process the amino-acid cystine. This led to so many symptoms, fits, spasticity, mental retardation, a dislocated eye lens and most strikingly, beautiful platinum curly blond hair (a la Shirley Temple). On face value Ian would certainly (had his condition been known at birth) be a candidate for euthanasia but then that would negate who Ian was. Everybody who met Ian was enthralled and inspired. His smile even in the face of the most adverse circumstances like when he lost the ability to walk. His pleasure at the most simple things that we take so much for granted like the colour yellow or a christmas tree, Ian`s smile beamed from ear to ear . Most of all his unconditional love was a lesson that the very most smartest of us can only dream of. When he passed away aged 25 the world became lesser.

Dear, this has been going on for hundreds of years. The mother or grandmother or midwife would gently help the baby to die and then announce it as stillborn. I don't know if I could do it, but my heart bleeds for the mother who had to make such a decision.

Peace,
Spinliesel

Euthanasia... is as good a name as any, has an ominous sound, as well it should.
“Profound... disabilities...” ethically, medically assisted,

I believe ethical euthanasia is beneficial to those involved at any stage of life. Imagine... 100/1000 years from now... won’t this be routine ?

Philosophical reasoning, not religious.

Whoa... I'm a proponent of euthanasia, but I've never considered this one. I may need a minute to consider this. I think it's important for us to be able to choose our own time to die, and to be allowed to make that decision for a loved one if a prior agreement has been made... And I also believe in a woman's right to choose... But once the foetus has reached viability? Is capable of continuing life unaided by its mother? I can't answer that in some general statement and it makes me want to weep just imagining parents who might themselves faced with such an option. I'll be interested in what the rest of you say here. Good question, dude, but a fucking hard one to answer.

Abortion is different because there are 2 bodies, 2 beings involved.
A perfectly healthy child being tortured in a prison camp has little quality of life.
Do I say it is ok to kill someone who is no threat, has done no wrong?
I consider the value of a person if their potential to improve, push that to the extreme, do we euthanize old people or anyone who has reached their peak?
These are my thoughts, not an opinion, I don't have one.

I am in favor of euthanasia simply because if I am terminally ill I want a clean way out. I don't know about allowing someone else to decide though. That could open a door for abuses without some carefully considered safeguards, maybe brain activity, or a consensus of medical experts.

I believe in euthanizing people for the right reasons.

That is quite a hard core question.
Legally it would be murder, first degree.
Then again, would it be a relief for those with the "disability".
The real question is, where would you draw the line.
Which degree of being disabled justifies euthanasia?

One side of the medal is that with modern medicine we can help almost everyone, so that they can have a better quality of live.
On the other hand, how much do we know that they are actually suffering and would prefer not to live this kind of live or really enjoy it, despite it's handicaps?

Sometimes I will pass the subject. Collect my points and that's it. Once someone is born... does not matter how little someone will be. It is Still Someone.