Culture of Death Alive in Belgium

When I read the lead for this story, I literally did a double take. I thought I had misread the words somehow... 

From ABC News:

Belgium Euthanizes Deaf Twins Going Blind 

Two deaf twin brothers in Belgium were euthanized by their doctor after realizing they were going blind and would be unable to see each other ever again, their physician says.

The 45-year-old men, whose names have not been made public, were legally put to death by lethal injection at the Brussels University Hospital in Jette, on Dec. 14. 

The men, who were born deaf, had a cup of coffee and said goodbye to other family members before walking into hospital room together to die, their doctor told Belgian television station RTL. 

“They were very happy. It was a relief to see the end of their suffering,” said Dr. David Dufour. 

“They had a cup of coffee in the hall. It went well and a rich conversation. Then the separation from their parents and brother was very serene and beautiful,” he said. “At the last there was a little wave of their hands and then they were gone,”