Extreme preemies should not be saved?

[Mrs Behavin]

Should premature babies born before 22 weeks gestation be given intensive care treatment to keep them alive?

Read this Report: Don't save extreme preemies - Children's Health - MSNBC.com

 

[Peter Parka]

Jesus, let the baby die because there is a high chance it will have a disability. Isn't that the sort of thing the Nazis preached?:mad

 

[GuesSAngel]

i can easily see this topic going to abortion views.

 

[elluko]

i can easily see this topic going to abortion views.

I just saw a southpark episode about that last night.

 

[sharpies]

I truly think that sometimes we spend way too many resources trying to save people (include babies & elderly) that have virtually no chance of a normal or quality life.

The problem is that I also don't know how to determine when these lifesaving measures should be withheld. I guess I hope that Doctors are smart enough to figure it out.

Allan

 

[BlueKitty2]

I truly think that sometimes we spend way too many resources trying to save people (include babies & elderly) that have virtually no chance of a normal or quality life.

The problem is that I also don't know how to determine when these lifesaving measures should be withheld. I guess I hope that Doctors are smart enough to figure it out.

Allan

So very true. There are intire medical fields surrounding the saving of preemies and elderly people. Often their life saving technics are excercised without thinking of the people involved. You might argue that quality of life is a realitive term defined by the individual, but would you like to be "saved" at the expense of what you considered a normal life?

Again, I have to agree with you. I don't know how to determine if or when these lifesaving measures should be withheld. Maybe the answer lies somewhere between the doctors and the patient and the family.

 

[Mrs Behavin]

I know this couple that had a baby 7 yrs ago and he was born when she was only 7 months pregnant with him. The drs were unable to stop her labor. He weighed in at only 1lb and 8 ozs. He has so many health problems now. He isnt potty trained, he has a hard time swallowing his food so he has to eat baby food, he has a hole in his heart, etc. There are so many more I just cant remember all of them. He is so precious though.

 

[Sneakiecat]

I'm really split on this. What's normal enough to allow the child to live? Slight mental retardation? Deaf and/or blind? Physically disable? My cousin was born 2 months premature, 19 years ago. The doctors didn't have much hope for her and figured that she would have all sorts of problems because her lungs were so underdeveloped. They didn't even begin to think about cognitive abilities. And yet today, she's perfectly normal and healthy. Would she have been considered too premature? I do believe that there are cases were the quality of life would be low that it might be better for them not to live. But I don't know if there could ever be an agreement to what the cut off should be.

 

[GuesSAngel]

I can't even see an arguement here...you're talking about an actual baby...I think that life should be given a chance no matter how they should end up.

 

[Reaver]

until we can see into the future, these issues will never be settled. Period.

 

[The_Rooks_Revenge]

I truly think that sometimes we spend way too many resources trying to save people (include babies & elderly) that have virtually no chance of a normal or quality life.

The problem is that I also don't know how to determine when these lifesaving measures should be withheld. I guess I hope that Doctors are smart enough to figure it out.


This is sharpies reply...I am surprised at this....if there is a chance that this baby can survive why is there any other choice other than to try to help it survive? If I choked would you not give me the ole M2M? How can you just sit the and ignore life trying to live?

 

[sharpies]

If I choked would you not give me the ole M2M? How can you just sit the and ignore life trying to live?

Yes I would try to help you survive, but I think you miss the point - or rather your question could be turned around. Why shouldn't we, sometimes, just sit there & let something trying to die, die?

We afford more 'humanity' for our pets than we do for other humans. It's ok to kill an animal in pain, one with little quality of life, but we must, at all costs keep a human, with no quality of life, alive - doesn't always make sense to me.

Allan

 

[Nightflight]

I disagree with aborting on that level. I think it's worth a chance, but I'm not so sure about if the mother is unable to cope. Take a look at kids up for adoption around the world - normally most of them have some defect and the mom feels unable to cope.

 

[BreakfastSurreal]

I think we must do all in our power to try and save lives. It is not up to us who lives or who dies, but we have to do all we can. It's part of the human spirit to help others, and I think we'd live in a very sad world if we started saving only certain people.

 

[Chimera]

As a premature baby is incapable of making descisions, the control of its existance falls to those who can. In this case primarily the parents, followed by the doctor, and then society (government) and such legislation that might pertain to the situation. I honestly have no right to become involved in such a personal choice as this, nor do I wish to interfere with what must be an already difficult situation. This falls into the realm of Abortion debate, and I hold the same opinion in that case.
The elderly, infirm, or dying Adult however should have the right to end a painful existance should they choose to do so. Attempting to decide for them is the worst form of arrogance, and in my mind rather disgusting.

 

[Nightflight]

But aren't we doing our own evolution the world of damage by saving everyone and extending the lives of all who would normally not have stayed alive?

 

[alleycat]

I like nightflights post.
I think as long as the fetus is viable, it's up to the parents. If it is not viable, let it die.