The Act contains special provisions dealing with requests from minors for termination of life and assisted suicide. The age groups to which it applies mirror the existing statutory provisions regarding consent for medical treatment. The Act allows twelve to fifteen-year-olds to request euthanasia, but requires parental consent for euthanasia to be performed in these cases. By contrast, it permits sixteen and seventeen-year-olds to make such decisions for themselves, although it prescribes that their parents must always be involved in discussions on them. Before complying with requests from minors, doctors must of course always satisfy themselves that the patient's suffering is unbearable and without prospect of improvement, and that the usual due care criteria have been met.