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PR: Killing a Disabled Baby is No Solution
02.05.2007
Youth Defence today expressed their worry and concern for Miss D and for her 4-month old unborn baby as she takes a case to the High Court for the right to travel to England for an abortion. While acknowledging that this is a highly emotional and difficult situation for Miss D and her family, Ireland’s leading pro-life organisation have said that every child, whether disabled or not, should have a right to life regardless of how long that life is suggested to be.
Eoghan de Faoite spokesperson for the organisation said today, “We must not forget that there are two people involved in this case – Miss D and her four month old unborn child – and we should be looking for the best possible outcome for them both. Taking the life of this baby is not going to benefit anyone in this unfortunate situation.”
Youth Defence believes in the right to life of all unborn children no matter if a child is suffering from a disability or an illness in utero or not. Whether a baby has anencephaly, Down’s syndrome, a physical disability or any other condition, no one has the right to deliberately end that child’s life through abortion.
Mr de Faoite continued, “I find it quite appalling that a child’s life would be ended in such a violent way simply because that child might not live long after he or she is born. Everyone has the right to life regardless if that life is expected to be an hour, a few days, weeks or months. This case represents another attack on the disabled, the weak and the incapacitated and I would urge all disability rights groups to speak out against the taking of this child’s life”.
Miss D’s baby is said to suffer from the neural tube defect known as anencephaly. While it is true that babies born with this condition rarely live more than an a few hours after birth, these babies can be given hydration, nutrition and other measures to make them comfortable and allow nature to take its course.
Eoghan de Faoite concluded “Giving birth to this baby is a far better option for Miss D at this time. Not only will she be sparing her baby from the violent death of abortion but she will also not have to live with the realisation that she had a part in the death of her baby - something that could cause her much grief and heartache long after the HSE are done with her”.
End
