A
European Human Rights Court has given its verdict on a case of human
rights that will compel a couple to allow their sick baby to die.
The
parents of the baby Chris Gard and Connie Yates have been in a long legal
battle to save their baby who is suffering from a serious genetic illness. The
baby is currently on life support while treatment options were being
considered.
At
8 weeks old, Charlie was diagnosed with mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome
and is considered to be only one of 16 babies worldwide with this disease. His
condition is progressive and currently incurable and eventually fatal.
Meanwhile,
doctors are developing treatments for the various mitochondrial conditions,
including the nucleoside treatment Charlie’s parents have been fighting for.
Charlie’s parents prayed the court to determine if they, as parents, have the
right to continue to provide medical treatments for their son or if he should
be allowed to die.
The
parents of the 10-months old baby wants the court to let them use a potentially
life-saving drug from the U.S. on their son. They believed that the drug (which
is still experimental), would help their son’s genetic condition rather than
allow him to die as doctors have recommended.
However
a June 27 ruling of the court held that the application by the parents was
‘inadmissible’. The court said that the baby was being exposed to continued
pain, suffering and distress in pursuit of treatments that were unsure. It
added that any additional treatment would continue to cause harm to the baby
stressing that its ruling is “Final”.
The
hospital has said that though there is a deadline in place for Charlie, they
wouldn’t have to follow it exactly. The discussion and planning will take some
days to work out. Meanwhile, Charlie’s parents have so far raised over £1.3
million through a GoFundMe account for his treatment.
With
the ruling of the court, the parents are unsure what they want to do with the
money. They plan to donate some to the U.S. hospital willing to treat Charlie,
while the rest will be put into a charity for other children with similar
mitochondrial conditions
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