Bioethics with Dr. Jeffrey Kahn: Life and Death Decisions

Dr. Jeffrey Kahn is the Director of the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics . When he stops by Midday , we talk about all manner of complex dilemmas. Today, we?re having a conversation about the ethical questions surrounding the case of Charlie Gard . He?s the infant in Britain who died on Friday, a week shy of his first birthday. He was critically ill for all of his short life. He had a rare genetic condition that left him brain damaged and unable to move or breathe on his own. His parents sought permission from UK courts to do what they thought was best for their son. First they wanted to take him to the U.S. for experimental treatment. More recently, his caregivers said that there was nothing more than could be done to help him and that he would die without artificial life support. His parents wanted to take him home from the hospital to die. In both instances, the courts ruled that what the parents wanted was not in the best interest of little Charlie. This sad case remindsEmail us at [email protected], tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.