"Preemies Should Die"

"Preemies Should Die" So say many in the medical community.  Our own Mike and Kristene O'Dell, who have just come through this battle with their precious son, Gregory Zion, respond to the spirit of murder that is manifesting itself through the mouths and pens of physicians who believe that they are God. 

Message from Kristene O'Dell

Below is an article I found as I researched various programs for Gregory.  Although I am appreciative of the efforts made on Gregory's behalf in the NICU, sitting in there day after day, I became acutely aware of the culture of death present in the thinking toward these babies.  When we were told that Gregory had suffered a Grade 4 head bleed, the speech that was given us was automatic and robotic concerning our options to discontinue life support.  As I began to listen to what was going on around us, I heard the same speech offered on a number of occasions to young, overwhelmed parents who did not know any other worldview besides "the compassionate decision is to pull life support on the disabled because they wouldn't want to live that way." 

As I contemplated what it would be like if Gregory was severely disabled, I would pray that the Lord would give me the strength and gentleness needed to care for him.  No one is prepared emotionally or physically for the challenges caring for the disabled bring, but God's grace is sufficient.  I knew He would help me along the way.  Miraculously, an MRI showed no abnormalities in Gregory's brain.  Thank you, Jesus!

These articles have much to do with seeing the disabled as those who will put a financial burden on society, but they are directed to individuals who will make these kinds of decisions based on being momentarily overwhelmed at the prospect of taking care of someone else indefinitely.  Taking care of others is not something we know a lot about anymore.  I am so thankful for the Lord's mercy as He has restored the health of my child.  But I also know that I could say the same if Gregory had come home with severe needs, not because I am so giving - but because God's grace is sufficient.

Preemies should die

Gengar

June 5th, 2005, 4:34 pm

That's what Britain 's top medical ethics expert thinks... how disgusting.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-1641429,00.html

BRITAIN 'S top medical ethics expert has urged doctors to let the most premature babies die, with treatment offered only in exceptional cases.

Baroness Warnock believes Britain should follow Holland in setting an age limit below which babies would not routinely be resuscitated.

She says this would prevent doctors competing for the "triumph" of keeping babies alive at increasingly young ages even though they may not survive in the long term or may be left severely disabled.

Warnock's comments were backed in part by Britain 's most senior pediatrician, who said the setting of a lower limit should be considered.

In Holland , doctors do not routinely administer intensive care to babies born before 25 weeks of pregnancy. The Nuffield Council on Bioethics, a medical think tank, is considering proposing similar guidelines in Britain . It is consulting doctors, nurses and parents about setting a 24-week limit.

Warnock, who helped frame laws on embryo research and fertility treatment, supports setting an age limit, with exceptions for babies who show they have a strong chance of living to become healthy children.

"Some doctors and nurses get competitive about the triumph of keeping these tiny, premature, babies alive," she said. "It would be better to set a minimum age than to have no form of scrutiny or regulation. Below a certain age of gestation no baby should be kept going without very thorough scrutiny of what the prognosis for that baby is."

Although most doctors are opposed to an age limit, Sir Alan Craft, president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said it was a legitimate option to consider. "One possible course of action would be not to intervene with any 23-week-old babies unless they breathe completely and spontaneously themselves," he said.

Craft, speaking in a personal capacity, argues that, as it is not possible to tell which babies born at 23 weeks or less will survive, doctors are forced to consider resuscitating all of them, although the majority have no chance of living.

Once doctors have started assisting these babies, he says, parents find it difficult to agree to treatment being withdrawn, even though it is of no help.

The Nuffield council is investigating the costs of raising the disabled children that premature babies often become as well as the expense of intensive care in neonatal units.

A study of the most premature babies showed most went on to suffer disabilities. The EPICure study of babies born at 25 weeks or less, led by researchers at Nottingham University, found that, by the age of six, only 20% of surviving children had no disabilities; 22% had severe disabilities, including cerebral palsy; while 34% had milder problems such as a squint.

In addition, it found that only 11% of all babies born at 23 weeks survived. Since the study began, however, care has improved and the figure is believed to be closer to 20%.

Bliss, the premature baby charity, says about 50 babies born at 23 weeks survive every year and it would be wrong to deny them the chance to live.

Bonnie Green, head of external relations, said: "We would be very unhappy. It is expensive to keep adults who may not pull through in intensive care but, in their case, we do not say 'let's use the money for something else'."