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Thursday, April 21, 2005

UK High Court allows baby to die
Amit Patel at 2:00 PM ET

[JURIST] In a case somewhat similar to that of brain-damaged Florida woman Terri Schiavo, Justice Mark Hedley of the High Court in London Thursday upheld a court order allowing a critically ill baby to die if she stops breathing. Charlotte Wyatt [BBC profile] was born 3 months premature with serious brain, lung, and kidney damage. Physicians say she has no feeling other than pain. Doctors had taken Wyatt's parents to court to win the legal right not to resuscitate her. The Wyatts, who believe life should be preserved at any cost, said the court ruling should be overturned because Charlotte can see and hear to a limited extent and sometimes smiles which indicates her life is no longer intolerable and should be saved. Justice Hedley disagreed with this argument and said it was in Charlotte's best interest to die. Hedley said if baby stops breathing, she will be given treatment except for invasive routines of intubation and ventilation but nothing more. Hedley, however, did indicate he would review the order in October to determine any changes. The Wyatt's said they will appeal the decision. AP has more and BBC News has video of the Wyatts' reaction to the ruling.






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