Euthanasia of a sort has been going on for a long time among humans and no doubt the critters who preceded us. Hunter/gathers could not afford to jeopardize the group in the vain attempt to haul around and feed someone incapable of pulling their own weight. I've read that Vikings would place a severely deformed newborn out on the ice for a swift and merciful death.

NPR had a piece a while back about invalid children who received state funded aid in the high six figure range annually for care. A dilemma was approaching for some as state aid expires at age 18. It is an unpleasant question: how many people can even a wealthy industrial society afford to care for in such manner? And this is to say nothing of the ongoing pain and discomfort of being bed-ridden for life.

__________________
Te futueo et caballum tuum

1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K