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 05 July 2008 03:39 BST

Bishop of Southwark cites "compassion" in premature baby debate

Sunday, 12 Nov 2006 10:34
Some argue that every baby has a right to life

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The Church of England could support doctors wishing to withhold treatment for severely disabled prematurely born babies, according to the Observer newspaper.

The newspaper has published what it claims is the Church's official response to an examination of the moral dilemma posed by improving medical techniques which make it possible for babies born after as little as 23 weeks to survive.

"There may be occasions where, for a Christian, compassion will override the 'rule' that life should inevitably be preserved," the Bishop of Southwark, the Right Reverend Tom Butler, is quoted as saying in response to the inquiry.

"Disproportionate treatment for the sake of prolonging life is an example of this."

The comments are attributed as being included in a long-awaited report by the Nuffield Council for Bioethics, due to be published on Thursday.

Babies born at such premature ages are much more likely to be disabled and therefore suffer major constraints on their enjoyment of life.

However many argue that no-one has the right to take away a baby's right to life and that, if medical science allows it, every effort should be made to provide them with the best assistance possible.End of story


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