When is death a duty? Two days ago, the European Court of Human Rights ruled in favor of doctors over the parents in a battle over a baby with a rare and fatal genetic disease. The ECHR followed rulings from British courts, declaring that doctors in the UKs National Health Service could stop life support rather than allow the parents to bring Charlie Gard to the US for experimental treatment:
Born in August, Charlie Gard has a rare genetic disorder known as mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome. Caused by a genetic mutation, it leads to weakened muscles and organ dysfunction, among other symptoms, with a poor prognosis for most patients.
Charlie is on life support and has been in the intensive care unit at the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London since October. His doctors wish to take him off life support, but his parents disagree.
Charlies parents, Chris Gard and Connie Yates, wanted the hospital to release Charlie into their custody so they can take him to the United States for an experimental treatment.
The domestic courts concluded that it would be lawful for the hospital to withdraw life sustaining treatment because it was likely that Charlie would suffer significant harm if his present suffering was prolonged without any realistic prospect of improvement, and the experimental therapy would be of no effective benefit, a press release from the court announcing the decision said.
The couple had raised nearly 1.4 million for that effort, which would have ended NHS involvement in the case, but the courts decided that they and not the parents were in position to decide that death rather than potential treatment was what was best for the child. Now the parentscannot even take the baby home to allow him to die there rather than in hospital, even though they pledged to cover all the costs:
Connie Yates and Chris Gard have been told by Great Ormond Street their sons life support will be switched off tomorrow but he cannot leave the ward.
The couples final wish for Charlie has been blocked and his mother Connie said today in a video for MailOnline: We promised our little boy every single day that we would take him home.
Mr Gard added: We want to give him a bath at home, put him in a cot which he has never slept in but we are now being denied that. We know what day our son is going to die but dont get a say in how that will happen.
Note that there was no disagreement between the parents over the course of care they wanted for Charlie. The two of them have lived at the hospital with their baby, and have been equally united in their desire to try anything to save his life. This is not a dispute between relatives over who should have control over care (as was the issue in the Terri Schiavo case) but whether the state or the parents should have the final say. In a single-payer system such as NHS, the courts have clearly ruled that the state has more standing on whether to allow someone to die than the person or his/her nearest relations. And now, the state through its socialized-medicine providers refuse to even allow the death to take place under the circumstances desired by the family.
While this case does not directly relate to euthanasia laws, there is nonetheless a cultural and moral link to European embrace of utilitarian policies on life. In this case, neither the patient nor the family wanted an end to a life, but the state ruled that compassion demanded the withdrawal of life support even absent the need to conserve resources for care. Critics have long warned that the embrace of euthanasia would eventually transform it from a choice to a duty, and that certainly seems to be what happened in the tragic case of Charlie Gard.
National Reviews Ian Tuttle warns that well see a lot more such cases in the future:
According to the Honourable Mr. Justice Nicholas Francis of the High Courts Family Division, who authored the decision subsequently upheld by the higher courts, death is in Charlies best interests. There was no scientific basis for believing that Charlie would respond positively to the experimental American treatment; meanwhile, there is unanimity among the experts from whom I have heard that nucleoside therapy cannot reverse structural brain damage. If, wrote Justice Francis, Charlies damaged brain function cannot be improved, as all agree, then how can he be any better off than he is now? It was with a heavy heart, the judge said, that he sided with the doctors. Charlie should be permitted to die with dignity. In conclusion, Justice Francis praised the parents he had just overruled: Most importantly of all, I want to thank Charlies parents for their brave and dignified campaign on his behalf, but more than anything to pay tribute to their absolute dedication to their wonderful boy, from the day that he was born.
So it was that successive courts in the United Kingdom and in Europe simultaneously found that Connie Yates and Chris Gard had devoted themselves unhesitatingly to their sons welfare for ten months, and also that Yates and Gard could not be trusted to act in their sons best interests.
The question, then, is not what would Charlie Gard want a question no one can answer. The question is what do we owe to people such as Charlie, who cannot speak for themselves? What duty of care do we owe them simply on account of their being human beings, who are by nature possessed of an inalienable dignity? What obligations do we have to those who suffer, and how should we understand their suffering? And, pertinent to this case, under what circumstances should the tightest bonds of affection those between parent and child be subordinated to the judgment of the state?
The precedent established by Charlie Gards case will metastasize, as similar decisions have. It will be made to apply to children with more-familiar illnesses and better prognoses; it will be used to dismiss the input of parents whose values and priorities when it comes to medical care and end-of-life issues do not align with those of the state; it may be used simply to clear beds for worthier patients in a health-care system with very limited resources. This, presumably, will be compassionate, too.
Any day now, theyll kill Charlie Gard. But its in his own best interest. Dont you see?
Youll see it a lot, and eventually not just in Europe, either. Socialized medicine requires rationing by the state rather than by private-market forces, and that will be true in the US if we continue to go down the single-payer sinkhole.
Excerpt from:
Single payer and Charlie Gard: When euthanasia becomes a duty - Hot Air
- Euthanasia - The New York Times [Last Updated On: December 9th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 9th, 2016]
- Euthanasia | Define Euthanasia at Dictionary.com [Last Updated On: December 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 12th, 2016]
- Taking Life: Humans, by Peter Singer - Utilitarian [Last Updated On: December 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 21st, 2016]
- Free euthanasia Essays and Papers - 123helpme [Last Updated On: December 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 21st, 2016]
- Half a Life (Star Trek: The Next Generation) - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: January 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 20th, 2017]
- Euthanasia | Students for Life [Last Updated On: January 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 24th, 2017]
- Mass euthanasia rumors prompt adoptions en masse at animal control shelter in Georgia - fox6now.com [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Doctor 'asked family to hold down struggling euthanasia victim ... - Catholic Herald Online [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Doctor who asked dementia patient's family to hold her down while she gave lethal injection cleared - The Independent [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- County animal shelter aggressively working to cut euthanasia rate - ABC15 Arizona [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Once euthanasia is voluntary, it will become irresistible. Just ask the ... - Catholic Herald Online (blog) [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- New Law in Taiwan Halts Euthanasia of Stray Animals - Seeker - Seeker [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Dog food recalled after discovery of euthanasia drug - Detroit Free Press [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Evanger's dog food recalled after euthanasia drug found in one batch - WHIO [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Euthanasia's goals: save money, collect organs - One News Now - OneNewsNow [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- RECALL: Canned dog food has traces of animal euthanasia drug - KUTV 2News [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- US dog food recall after euthanasia drug found - BBC News [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Taiwan bans euthanasia of stray animals - Yahoo - Yahoo News [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- Euthanasia reform moves forward in the senate - Deseret News [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- Wheeling-based Evanger's recalls dog food found to contain euthanasia drug - Chicago Tribune [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- Dog food recalled after euthanasia drug found in can. One dog dead. - Washington Post [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- Dog food sold in Minnesota recalled over euthanasia drug - TwinCities.com-Pioneer Press [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Imagining a future with compulsory euthanasia - MercatorNet [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Euthanasia 'Safeguards' Soon Seen as 'Hurdles' - National Review [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Dog food recalled after euthanasia drug found in it - CNN [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Bill to Ban Gas Chamber Euthanasia Moves to the Senate - Good4Utah [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Religion in the courtroom: Neil Gorsuch's faith and writings draw close attention - The Denver Post [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Dutch doctors against euthanasia for advanced dementia patients - NL Times [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Canadian study touts euthanasia's cost 'benefit' - Brnow [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Pug Dies After Eating Dog Food Contaminated With Euthanasia Drug - Huffington Post [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Patients Rights Council [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- New euthanasia debate in Spain - BioEdge [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Labour will not introduce private members bill on euthanasia - Scoop.co.nz (press release) [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- MP's personal story behind euthanasia support - Clarence Valley Daily Examiner [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Could laser therapy help dog owners avoid euthanasia? - 12news.com [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Speaker receives citizens' initiative on legalisation of euthanasia - YLE News [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Euthanasia's march Down Under - Catholic Herald Online (blog) [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Another company issues recall after euthanasia drug found in dog ... - KATU [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- Medical Council against euthanasia: 'We don't want youths euthanising their grandparents' - MaltaToday [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- More dog food recalled because it may contain euthanasia drug ... - Q13 FOX [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- Law students accuse Medical Council of twisting their euthanasia arguments - MaltaToday [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- Hanson, Hinch launch passionate arguments for euthanasia law - Starts at 60 [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- Pauline Hanson and Derryn Hinch get riled up about euthanasia - Starts at 60 [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Brigit Forsyth on euthanasia, internet dating and whether she'd consider Likely Lads revival - ChronicleLive [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- FDA confirms euthanasia agent pentobarbital in dog food | Food ... - Food Safety News [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Oregon's Euthanasia Bill Is Intentionally Ambiguous - National Review [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Conservative leaders argued drugs, euthanasia, and fiscal policy in Langley - Langley Advance [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- New German film addresses Nazi child 'euthanasia' - euronews [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- How Did a Euthanasia Drug End Up in Dog Food? - Care2.com [Last Updated On: February 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 21st, 2017]
- Why euthanasia slippery slopes are inevitable - National Right to Life News [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- Oregon's euthanasia bill awash with 'ambiguity' - OneNewsNow [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- Adoption center works to reduce euthanasia - The Dominion Post [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Police stance was to not answer questions over details of euthanasia checkpoint - Stuff.co.nz [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- WA election: Euthanasia, Safe Schools hot topics as Liberal, Labor leaders face Christian voters - ABC Online [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Lessons from indigenous wisdom in the euthanasia debate - MercatorNet [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Dying man gathers his family together for final hours before ... - 9Honey [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Quebec Moves Toward Euthanasia for Alzheimer's | National Review - National Review [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Once Euthanasia Voluntary, It'll Become Irresistible, Ask the Dutch; Real Humility; and More! - National Catholic Register (blog) [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- APA Position on Medical Euthanasia - Psychiatric Times [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- Pike County animal shelter reduces euthanasia rates - WYMT News (press release) [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- BioEdge: Should Quebec's Alzheimer's patients be eligible for ... - BioEdge [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- 45 Rescued Cats and Dogs Are Facing Euthanasia But One Woman is Fighting to Build Them Shelter - One Green Planet [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Minnesota Euthanasia Advocates Introduce Legislation to Legalize ... - LifeNews.com [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Italy: tetraplegic DJ stirs up euthanasia debate by assisted suicide in Switzerland - euronews [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Euthanasia and Alzheimer's: Canada takes a step in the wrong direction - MercatorNet [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Choice is an Illusion President Margaret Dore States Hawaii ... - EconoTimes [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Evanger's expands recall because dog food may contain euthanasia drug - The Seattle Times [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- Last Wishes mobile pet euthanasia service adds storefront hospice for pets - Chron.com [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- DJ's assisted suicide stirs up Italy euthanasia debate - BBC News [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- The euthanasia debate is polarised, yet shared concerns unite all sides - The Guardian [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- Jagged Vision Streaming "Euthanasia" - Metal Underground [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2017]
- Paralysed Italian DJ takes own life in Swiss clinic after fruitless euthanasia campaign in his native country - The Independent [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2017]
- Mane Attraction hosts Beauty to the RESCUE to fight animal euthanasia - 12news.com [Last Updated On: March 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 3rd, 2017]
- Finnish parliament debates legalising euthanasia - Expatica Netherlands [Last Updated On: March 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 3rd, 2017]
- Euthanasia Advocate Changes Her Mind After Watching the Euthanasia Deception Documentary - LifeNews.com [Last Updated On: March 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 3rd, 2017]
- In places where it's legal, how many people are ending their lives ... - EconoTimes [Last Updated On: March 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 3rd, 2017]
- DJ's assisted suicide fuels Italy's euthanasia debate - MercatorNet [Last Updated On: March 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 3rd, 2017]
- Corgi pit bull with lopsided jaw saved from euthanasia - BBC News [Last Updated On: March 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 3rd, 2017]
- Euthanasia: What to Expect When Your Dog is Put Down [Last Updated On: March 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 3rd, 2017]
- Gentle Journey Phoenix Arizona In Home Pet Euthanasia [Last Updated On: March 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 3rd, 2017]