Court Ordered Euthenasia In UK, page 1

The title is a little catchy, the story is as well and poses a great question.

Here's the article:

London, England (CNN) -- A severely ill toddler at the center of a legal battle between his parents has died days after his father agreed to switch off his ventilator.

The 13-month-old boy, known as Baby RB, suffered from congenital myasthenic syndrome, a rare genetic condition that means he cannot breathe on his own.

Cristopher Cuddihee, a solicitor who represents the father, confirmed the baby's death early Sunday but did not provide any more details.

The baby's father had been battling his mother and the hospital in London's High Court because they wanted the child's life support switched off "in his best interests." He disagreed, saying the baby could play and recognize his parents. The father withdrew his objection Tuesday and allowed the ventilator to be switched off.

The hospital defended its stance in a statement last week, saying the baby's birth defect "causes severe muscle weakness, feeding and respiratory problems, and the disease is progressive."

Baby RB's lungs filled with fluid every few hours, giving him the sensation he is choking and causing the child to suffer, lawyers representing the hospital said in court November 2.

Ultimately, the father agreed with the mother and the hospital that the best thing was for the baby to die "in a planned way, with the administration of a large dose of sedative, the removal of the ventilation tube and his consequent death," Judge Andrew McFarlane said Tuesday.

The baby's parents, who are separated, cannot be named because of a court order protecting their privacy.

Source

Now they didn't simply remove him from the respirator, they have him a lethal dose of sedative as well. This begs the question, should people who CHOOSE to die, be afforded that right by doctors or hospitals in cases of extreme trauma or otherwise terminal situations?

I know personally that if I were to be diagnosed with a Stage 4 Stomach Cancer and KNEW for a fact that I would die in 6 months, but those months I would be bed ridden and in extreme pain, I would want to die and get it over with.

Why suffer for no reason?

And I don't know the law in the UK surrounding this, but I assume it's illegal unless court ordered or approved.

Thoughts folks?

~Keeper

Euthanasia is the wrong term.

The court case was about removing care for the poor child, the sedatives were administered to relieve his suffering as he died, not to actually bring about his death.

A truly tragic story.

Here is an interview with his mother.

[edit on 15/11/2009 by Argyll]

Originally posted by Argyll
Euthanasia is the wrong term.

The court case was about removing care for the poor child, the sedatives were administered to relieve his suffering as he died, not to actuall bring about his death.

A truly tragic story.

Here is an interview with his mother.

definition
eu·tha·na·sia (yo̵̅o̅′t̸hə nā′z̸hə, -z̸hē ə, -zē ə)

noun

Now Rare an easy and painless death
act or practice of causing death painlessly, so as to end suffering: advocated by some as a way to deal with persons dying of incurable, painful diseases

Source

Nope I am pretty sure that's the right word all right.

In any case it is a sad and tragic story, and I am not saying what they did was wrong, I would have made the same choice, it's hard to see any child suffer, especially your own.

~Keeper

reply to post by tothetenthpower

---

I'm sorry mate, but I stand by my disagreement, euthanasia is the act of causing death, usually by the administration of a drug (most commonly morphine) ........I think the correct term is "passive euthanasia" which is the withdrawal of treatment.

And I agree with you it is a tragic story and as heartbreaking as it is , I would have done the same thing.

reply to post by Argyll

---

I like the Passive Euthansia, and I would have agreed with you if they had not administered any drugs and allowed the child to "naturally" die after being taken off life support.

Since the ladder has occured however...

In any case, what do you think of my thoughts above regarding euthanasia, are you for or against?

~Keeper

reply to post by tothetenthpower

---

I'm most definitely for euthanasia mate.

@ Butterflycatcher.....you should really read the link I put in my earlier post, it is an interview with baby RB's mother.......read that and then spout your cr#p about legalised murder!

reply to post by Bluebelle

---

Alright then I understand why not it would not classed specifically as Euthenasia. I figured the Sedative was to just get to job done, but I can see why they would have given it to him due to the 0 awareness thing.

And that Sweden clinic I have heard about, quite sad that people have to go to another country to find peace.

I have a friend who tried to kill himself here in Canada a few years ago, he failed and they pressed charges of attempted murder, later dropped to manslaughter and he spent 9 months in Jail over trying to take his OWN life.

Strange world we live in.

~Keeper

reply to post by tothetenthpower

---

WHAT!!.....You can be charged with murder in Canada if you try to take your own life???

reply to post by Argyll

---

Yes, and also in the states. Suicide is very illegal in many places.

I have to agree with the sedative here, there's no reason the child should suffer in the end. These decisions are always hard for everyone....and the courts always make it harder on everyone involved it seems.

reply to post by butterflycatcher

---

This Child was suffering, could not in any way communicate with anyone, the Father was fighting a court case where Doctors and the Child's Mother where asking to end the Child's suffering.

The Father was fighting because he thought the Child had shown signs of understanding and laughter, but was shown evidence that what can be conceived as a smile can also be a sign of severe pain, like a baby with wind will seem to smile, having wind hurts.

Because they could in no way tell if the Child was in pain, and the fact the Child was paralyzed, and many other symptoms, Doctors , Nurses,a nd relatives who all looked after this Baby all said the Child was suffering.

After the Father had heard the evidence from every one involved, he also decided this was the right thing to do, how it was done I am certain was to ease any suffering at all, I have been on a respirator as have many others, and it is not at all a comfortable experience, having it removed and being unable to breath is a nightmare of the worst kind.

There is and always will be a very fine line between suffering, and being allowed to end that suffering, for Adults it is clear what their wishes are, for a Toddler who will be their voice? who can look into their eyes and understand what they want?

The parents of this Child now have to live for the rest of their lives wondering if it was the right call, I believe the right thing was done, as do many many others, my thoughts are with the Mother and Father, who had to make a decision to take the life of their Child, because they could not live with the thought of even a moment of suffering, never mind a lifetime.

Whether it was Murder is down to individual opinion, IMO it was done with Love and with Mercy, how hard must it be to love someone enough to let them go.

reply to post by Argyll

---

Yup, according to Canadian Law if you take your own life and fail, you are an murderer of some sorts.

It's very strange, and doesn't happen very often.

~Keeper

reply to post by tothetenthpower

---

Yes its very sad. Makes it even worse that the person wanting to end their life has to deal with the guilt of knowing that whoever accompanies them could get charged with murder.

reply to post by tothetenthpower

---

I am gob smacked!......do they not consider underlying reasons?....are people that are so desperate, that they attempt to take their own lives not given care?, and help??.........they are just considered to be murderers???

Did Carl Sagan know something?
  Posted 19 days ago with 277 member flags

The Devil\'s Chord: The conspiracy to open the portal of consciousness and mystery of the octave
  Posted 4 days ago with 161 member flags

The Coca Cola Conspiracy: The secret cause for the U.S. obesity epidemic
  Posted 15 days ago with 139 member flags

Earthly coincidences...or not.
  Posted 15 days ago with 122 member flags

The Mysterious Death of Marilyn Monroe
  Posted 17 days ago with 86 member flags

Bank of America DOES NOT accept U.S. DOLLARS as payment on mortgages
  Posted 8 days ago with 85 member flags

Denver Airport Allows Camera Crew in Underground Facility
  Posted 17 days ago with 83 member flags

10 People Whose Warnings Went Unheeded
  Posted 3 days ago with 77 member flags

Newest topics, updated in real-time:

Newest topics getting flags, in real-time:

Newest topics getting replies, in real-time: