British Section of the World Federation of Doctors Who Respect Human Life

“A judge at the High Court in London last week refused to rule that an 18-month old boy with type 1 spinal muscular atrophy be allowed to die, against the unanimous opinion of medical experts mentioned in the case,” Clare Dyer reported in the BMJ, 25 March 06. “Mr. Justice Holman said he was ‘not persuaded, even taking into account predicted future deterioration, that it is currently in the best interest of M.B. to discontinue ventilation with the inevitable result that he will immediately die.’ However, he said that the boy should not be subjected to further painful procedures.

The Times had reported (11 March 06):

“Anita Macaulay, chief executive of the Jennifer Trust for Spinal Muscular Atrophy, whose daughter died from the condition, said this case had sent a chill through its membership. ‘If this M.B. case goes the wrong way and the parents lose, then the next time they or their child are rushed into hospital with pneumonia, are they going to get switched off too?’” She regretted that the hospital cannot be named.

After the ruling “His 22-year old mum said “He means the world to us. No matter what situation he’s in, he’s still our son. (Daily Mirror, 16 March 06).

BBC News reported that Ruth Everard, who also has spinal muscular atrophy, was ‘delighted’. She is an Oxford graduate and recently qualified as a solicitor.

Her parents had found that wheelchairs suitable for children with this condition were not available, so her father, a design engineer, made them himself. “Now the company supplies chairs all over the world.” Not many are needed in Britain, perhaps, if hospitals have their way.