Deaf Belgian Twins Self-Euthanize

Two identical twins last month gained the unfortunate distinction of becoming the first twins to exercise their legal right to euthanasia, a Belgian newspaper reported Saturday. The 45-year-old men were born deaf, but were beginning to lose their eyesight as well, which was their only means of communication. The brothers had lived together all their lives and claimed that being able to communicate only by touch would be an "unbearable burden.” Although they suffered no terminal illness or physical pain, doctors agreed to their request on grounds of intolerable suffering. They died on Dec. 14.