National Right to Life today joined a chorus of organizations and people worldwide in mourning the death of Charlie Gard, the British boy at the center of a worldwide euthanasia debate.
Connie Yates and Chris Gard, the parents of Charlie Gard, announced via social media today that “our beautiful boy” is gone after his life support was turned off.
Charlie Gard’s case sparked a worldwide debate about a so-called “quality of life” ethic after courts in the United Kingdom ruled against Charlie’s parents in their struggle to seek experimental treatment for a rare mitochondrial disease.
It is believed that Charlie could have benefitted from such experimental treatment, but the efforts of Connie Yates and Chris Gard to seek such treatment for their son were denied by the British hospital treating Charlie. The hospital decision was consistently upheld by the British courts.
“Our hearts break for Charlie Gard’s parents, and we join with them in their grief over Charlie’s death,” said NRLC President Carol Tobias.
No parent should ever have to bury a child and certainly no parent should ever be told by a court or government that their child must die. The case of Charlie Gard brings into grave perspective what can happen when the government controls a health care system: it alone can decide who lives and who dies.
Rest in peace, Charlie.
Chelsea Garcia is a political writer with a special interest in international relations and social issues. Events surrounding the war in Ukraine and the war in Israel are a major focus for political journalists. But as a former local reporter, she is also interested in national politics.
Chelsea Garcia studied media, communication and political science in Texas, USA, and learned the journalistic trade during an internship at a daily newspaper. In addition to her political writing, she is pursuing a master's degree in multimedia and writing at Texas.
