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What ruling should be made?

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anotheoldgit | 14:48 Mon 02nd Nov 2009 | News
21 Answers
http://www.dailymail....es-court-stop-it.html

In a case such as this, what would the fair ruling be?

Carry out the Mother's wish and take the child off life support?

Support the Father's wish for surgeons to carry out a tracheotomy?
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Apparently the views of the parents will not be taken into account at all and only the childs needs and quality of life will be considered. Both parents are still friends just have different wishes for their child.

Personally, I feel that, as the child has no brain damage, then they should stick with the current practice of keeping the child alive. The child has full mental function.

I have not read the link but listened to a full discussion regarding the issue yesterday.
It is right that this decision is not taken by the parents but by the specialists who are in a better position to judge the facts from a rational background.

It is certainly a difficult decision, and although I know little about this disease, my mother in law died of motor neurone disease (another muscular disease) in 2001. As Lofty says, her mind was completely active. It is probably the worst form of torture known to man - having a completely active brain and not being able to have your body do anything. Whether that changes as a baby would know no different, I doubt.

If it was an animal, the RSPCA would class you as inhumane if you kept it alive under these conditions. Ironic huh?
I cannot see that anyone can make the decision to end the life a anyone with fully functioning mental powers. The only person that can do that is the person themselves and a young child wouldn't even be able to consider this. From what I can gather the child is relatively happy and obviously knows no different. As the child gets older they will be able to consider their position themselves.

I just read the headline and see the Mail is at it again. It is apparently not a bitter fight between the parents at all. They fully understand each others views and the decision is not theirs to make.

A very sad case indeed.
///I cannot see that anyone can make the decision to end the life a anyone with fully functioning mental powers.///

A child does not have fully functioning mental powers - hence the reason that a lot of decisions have to be made for them (eg smoking, drinking, driving etc)

As I said, I do not know a lot about this case or illness, but the mother is quoted as saying that her child is in 'intolerable pain'. If the child is perfectly happy and not at all distressed, then I would be prepared to concede that a mercy killing would not be right, but if he is in constant pain, then I am not convinced that putting him out of his misery would be better for all concerned.
An immature brain can still be fully functioning Vic. I would agree that the young child would not have mature reasoning powers but his/her brain is functioning as well as any other child of a comparable age. How can a court honestly make a decision - unless that child is visibly suffering and cannot be helped. The child can be helped with drugs and a fairly simple operation. Why would anyone want to take that chance away from that child?
///How can a court honestly make a decision - unless that child is visibly suffering and cannot be helped. The child can be helped with drugs and a fairly simple operation. Why would anyone want to take that chance away from that child? ///

Agreed - that is what I said: /// As I said, I do not know a lot about this case or illness, but the mother is quoted as saying that her child is in 'intolerable pain'. If the child is perfectly happy and not at all distressed, then I would be prepared to concede that a mercy killing would not be right, ///
I think we basically agree then Vic. ;o)
Who will look after the child....mother or father? Mother doesn't want him to live, father is out at work.

Will the child ever leave hospital?.......unlikely

What future has the child, either in hospital, with mother or with father?.............None

The child can't move or breath unassisted.

If he has a tracheostomy performed, who will deal with this daunting task?

The decision is obvious to me.
So you would let someone who had noone to look after them die once they are incapable of looking after themselves Sqad. Where does one draw the line. Do we stop giving medical treatment to anybody who can't look after themselves - or is it just young children? Let's not have care homes etc. One way to keep the population down I suppose.
Adults....can't take care of themselves is a different matter, there are adult facilities and many have had a useful life before their debilitating disease.

This baby has never had a life and never will have life as we know it and each case must be assessed on it's merits, as this case is being assessed.

All you need to see Lofty is a children's hospital where all the genetic disorders and congenital defects are housed..a sort of Paediatric scrap heap and the experience of that has a bearing on this problem.
The NHS (tax payer) will be footing the bill in a case that will never be more than an immobile object needing 24hour nursing, with no useful prognosis.
Oh Sqad how can you call a young child with no mental impairment an immobile object.

Years ago my mother used to work in what was call a 'Mental Hospital' then and had childrens wards full of kids that had dreadful problems, physically and mentally - they would never go beyond the hospital gates. I used to visit quite a lot and it ceased to shock me. Fortunately now a lot of the things that I witnessed are not seen now (e.g. huge heads (can't remember the medical terminology). At least we have moved forward since the early 60's and scanning has made a tremendous difference.
Something that can't move IS immobile.

What has scanning done?......identified significant malformations which may or may not be compatible with life. In these cases the pregnancy is terminated.......child killed. In this case the same management except post natal...the child killed.

What is the difference?
What is the difference?

As a mother and as a mother who also lost an unborn baby as well as having a live baby, I find it incredible that you can ask.

But having seen you call a living baby with no mental impairment an immobile object, then I shouldn't find such a statement from you incredible.
I wonder which side you'd go for... I wonder.
Sqad,I find your views on disabled children abhorrent.
daffy....what are my views on disabled children?
"............said she had spent every day at her son's bedside since he was born......" says it all - the mother's wishes should be adhered to.

Invasive surgery will barely improve this babes quality of life - he should be allowed to pass with dignity.
You have said (on more than one occasion) that disabled babies should not be born,or should be left to die.Is that nott your view?
daffy....you have changed your comments now.

(Mon 18:11 02/Nov/09) Report This
Sqad,I find your views on disabled CHILDREN abhorrent.

Now you say:

"You have said (on more than one occasion) that disabled BABIES should not be born,or should be left to die.Is that nott your view?"

Which views are you talking about? Disabled BABIES or disabled CHILDREN?

The I will let you know if the noun ABHORRENT that you used to describe my supposed views is appropriate.
///
The I will let you know if the noun ABHORRENT that you used to describe my supposed views is appropriate.////

Abhorrent is an adjective not a noun.

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