A very important ruling in Ireland - woman given right to die

[malaise]

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/26/ireland-court-rules-brain-dead-pregnant-womans-life-support-switched-off
<snip>
Ireland’s high court has ruled that doctors can switch off the life support machine of a brain dead woman who is 18 weeks pregnant.

The landmark judgment is a serious challenge to the Irish constitution which gives a mother and an unborn child equal rights.

On Friday the three judges, Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns, Ms Justice Marie Baker and Ms Justice Caroline Costello, granted the woman’s family’s wish that she be allowed to die.

The doctors who were keeping the woman alive feared they could be prosecuted under Ireland’s very strict abortion laws because by switching off life support they would causing the death of the foetus as well as its mother.

But Kearns said the court “is satisfied, in the circumstances of this case, that it is in the best interests of the unborn child; it should authorise at the discretion of the medical team the withdrawal of ongoing somatic support being provided in this tragic and unfortunate case”.

The judge added: “To maintain and continue the present somatic support for the mother would deprive her of dignity and subject her father, her partner and her young children to unimaginable distress in a futile exercise which commenced only because of fears held by treating medical specialists of potential consequences.”

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. This is a very sad situation without a lot of good choices.

The one they picked is the best choice possible considering the circumstances.

May she RIP.

[malaise]

3. I think it's sad that her family were put through this madness

If the technology did not exist, she would have died ages ago.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. That is certainly true, on both counts. Technology isn't always good.

[niyad]

2. it's about time.

[enlightenment]

5. The judge's comments are very encouraging -

a recognition of the futility of trying to keep a body alive as a gestation container; of the rights of the woman; the feelings of the existing family; and the fear that has kept doctors from exercising their best judgement for far too long.

Hopefully, Ireland is starting to see the light of reason and this will translate into serious discussion at the constitutional level.