Charlie Gard case

Legal case involving medical treatment decisions for a child

The Charlie Gard case was a legal dispute in 2017 involving the medical treatment of a British infant, Charlie Gard, who was born with a rare genetic condition known as mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome. The case attracted significant international attention and raised complex ethical, medical, and legal issues regarding parental rights, medical authority, and the role of the courts in life-and-death decisions.

Background

Charlie Gard was born on 4 August 2016 in London, England. Shortly after birth, he was diagnosed with mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes progressive muscle weakness and brain damage. The condition is typically fatal in infancy.

Charlie's parents, Chris Gard and Connie Yates, sought to pursue an experimental treatment in the United States, which was not available in the United Kingdom. The treatment, known as nucleoside bypass therapy, was proposed by Dr. Michio Hirano, a neurologist at Columbia University Medical Center.

Charlie Gard in 2017

Legal Proceedings

The case was brought to the High Court of Justice in the United Kingdom when Great Ormond Street Hospital, where Charlie was receiving care, applied for permission to withdraw life support, arguing that further treatment would not be in Charlie's best interests.

Great Ormond Street Hospital

The High Court ruled in favor of the hospital, a decision that was subsequently upheld by the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, and the European Court of Human Rights. The courts determined that the proposed experimental treatment was unlikely to benefit Charlie and that it was in his best interests to withdraw life support and provide palliative care.

International Attention

The case garnered widespread media coverage and public interest, with interventions from various international figures, including the Pope and the President of the United States. The case highlighted the ethical dilemmas faced by medical professionals and the legal system when dealing with cases involving experimental treatments and end-of-life care.

Outcome

In July 2017, after further medical evaluations and legal considerations, Charlie's parents decided to end their legal battle and agreed to withdraw life support. Charlie Gard passed away on 28 July 2017, shortly before his first birthday.

Ethical and Legal Implications

The Charlie Gard case raised important questions about the rights of parents versus the responsibilities of medical professionals and the role of the courts in making decisions about life-sustaining treatment. It also sparked discussions about the availability and regulation of experimental treatments and the ethical considerations involved in their use.

Related pages

• Mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome
• Great Ormond Street Hospital
• Columbia University Medical Center
• High Court of Justice

Columbia University Medical Center