That was a fascinating discussion. I had no right taking the time to read it, but I got engrossed.
I particularly liked the comment of Andrew Robinson: both positions have ethical validity. It really boils down to which ethical framework you choose to apply, or rather, who gets to apply their ethical framework.
I also agree with the poster who was rather distressed that Crippin would hesitate only 5/8 of a second. For him, obviously, it is black and white (which makes one wonder why he put the discussion on his web site). I find myself more in Rambi's grey area on this one.
But bottom line, I do think that if the parents have a reasonable and responsible position, and I think they do, I find it hard as a libertarian to let the State override their wishes for their children by simply imposing a different ethical framework -- not necessarily better, just different.
Finally, for me the kicker is that they aren't English citizens, but just came to England for the delivery. So the court should just let them go home and not worry about it. Why does the English court get to make the decision?
The discussion doesn't say what the eventual outcome, of the surgery if it went forward, of the appeal to the European Court if that went forward, was. Does anybody know? |
