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Belgian court approves 'wrongful life' claim

CWN - December 06, 2010

A Belgian appeals court has ruled that doctors can be held responsible for the “wrongful birth” of a child with disabilities.

The court found that while the doctors did not cause the child’s injuries, they were at fault for his “being born with such disabilities.” The court explained that the legislature, in enacting a law to allow abortion, “must have intended to help avoid giving birth to children with serious abnormalities, having regard not only for the interests of the mother but also for those of the unborn child.” Thus the court reasoned that the interests of the unborn child require its death.

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  • Posted by: Joseph Paul - Dec. 08, 2010 7:15 PM ET USA

    The German Nazis rounded up all the handicapped children that they could lay their hands on and sent them to the gas chambers. The Belgian court is effectively demanding doctors to do the same thing but behind closed doors this time. Adolf Hitler would have been proud of this court.

  • Posted by: voxfem - Dec. 06, 2010 9:37 PM ET USA

    Appalling. Will the mother and father also be held responsible if they decide to let the baby be born?

  • Posted by: rpp - Dec. 06, 2010 7:28 PM ET USA

    Woe to you that call evil good, and good evil: that put darkness for light, and light for darkness: that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter. - Isaiah, 5:20 Douay Rheims.

  • Posted by: Skip - Dec. 06, 2010 6:32 PM ET USA

    Imigine how the child will feel, all grown up......knowing it's parents would have him killed. Talk about life-long therapy. This is unbelievable.

  • Posted by: bobef3857 - Dec. 06, 2010 6:01 PM ET USA

    Do the plaintiffs want permission to euthanize the child or just a bundle of money from the doctors? The insanity continues.

  • Posted by: fred3885 - Dec. 06, 2010 4:28 PM ET USA

    I guess a court cannot sink much lower than this...

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