Posted on 04/14/2017 9:50:11 AM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
LONDON, England, April 13, 2017 (LifeSiteNews) — A UK judge has ruled it is in a child's best interest to “die with dignity” rather than to allow his parents to seek additional medical treatment.
Connie Yates and Chris Gard want to take eight-month-old son Charlie to the United States for treatment of a rare disease. A GoFundMe account has given them enough money to do so. But Charlie needs to remain on life support to make the trip and Justice Francis determined it is in the "best interests of the child" to withdraw his feeding tube and breathing machine.
Charlie has mitochondrial depletion syndrome, which degenerates his muscles. It is extremely rare, with an estimated 20 cases worldwide.
Great Ormond Street Hospital officials, who brought the lawsuit, argued that Charlie's life support should be cut off because his quality of life was "so poor" and experimental treatments would only “prolong the process of dying.”
The boy’s parents said taking their son to the U.S. would not cause him more pain or suffering, but could give him another chance. In any case, their lawyer said parents' wishes should be respected.
"We just want to have our chance," Connie told the BBC. "Even if Charlie doesn’t make it through this, I don’t ever want another mum and their child to go through this."
Nevertheless, Judge Francis ruled against the parents.
“Some people may ask why the court has any function in this process; why can the parents not make this decision on their own?” Francis wrote. “The answer is that, although the parents have parental responsibility, overriding control is vested in the court exercising its independent and objective judgment in the child’s best interests.”
Francis based his decision on the assumption of irreversible brain damage.
“Nucleoside therapy cannot reverse structural brain damage," he ruled. "Experimentation cannot be in Charlie’s best interests unless there is a prospect of benefit for him.”
“It is with the heaviest of hearts ... that I find it is in Charlie’s best interests ... to permit Charlie to die with dignity,” the judge decreed.
Charlie’s parents, devastated by the ruling, say they are considering an appeal.
I wasn’t aware judges were allowed to practice medicine without a license in the U.K.
Euthanasia Judge practicing medicine without a license.
From the Hippocratic Oath:
“Neither will I administer a poison to anybody when asked to do so, nor will I suggest such a course. Similarly I will not give to a woman a pessary to cause abortion.
... Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death. Above all, I must not play at God.”
FMCDH(BITS)
Death Panels.
It’s what Single Payer health care is all about.
They are in the US as well. Florida killed Terry Schiavo while Yeb! sat on his hands.
It's about controlling every thing you do.
Oh...so this judge is an M.D?
Whether he is right or wrong, prayer and faith in God CAN reverse structural brain damage. Why not try both?
PING!
Because the State doesn't like competition?
Liar.
Judges are allowed to practice medicine in the US. Remember Terri.
You are right. Judges can rule on every aspect of our lives. In Arizona, a judge decided on what and how a school district should budget the money. Judges halted President Trump from enacting a legal travel ban on potential terrorists. And the Terri Schiavo case should never be forgotten - a judge created a true horror story.
Despicable!
I wasn’t aware judges in this Republic were allowed to disregard existing laws.
The baby has been in the hospital for more than 6 months - cannot breathe without a ventilation tube. The US doctor and hospital (not named) have "offered" a "may help" experimental treatment (not cure) and the parents have raised 1.2 million pounds to pay for this.
It isn't stated why the long wait to go to the US - this disease is progressive - there are 15 known cases in the world.
This doesn't sound like a classic euthanasia case.
Just an aside - I have buried a 3 day old baby and a 5 year old daughter so I do understand the parents' plight.
Oh! I am so sorry.
The child’s best interest is to die? That judge will be guilty of murder if that happens because his ruling kept them from more care. Sometimes it is impossible to understand England. Thank God we went out own way.
Thank you. It was a long time ago.
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