From 2006 until 2014 he worked as deputy editor-in-chief of the Dutch daily newspaper Trouw. Before that, he worked as a correspondent in Germany, and for many years he reported on European economics. He graduated in political science from Leiden University in 1987. Van Loenen has published articles and participated in debates on Dutch and German television about the consequences of right-to-die laws for daily life, where they may undermine solidarity with people who are handicapped. Van Loenen also wrote a book about this subject, 'He would have been better off dead. Judging other peoples' lives' ('Hij had beter dood kunnen zijn. Oordelen over andermans leven'), Amsterdam, 2009. Already translated into German, this volume is the English version. He wrote this book out of personal commitment, after his late partner suffered severe brain injury.