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Rehpo-+ · 09-24-2006, 10:17 AM

Let me first state, I do believe the disabled or mentally retarded have as much of a chance to living a fullfilled life as the abled.

But lets take a hypothetical situation, a doctor determines a child has a severe handicap, illness, or mental retardation. Where it was determined that the child would live their whole life in a wheel chair or would need 24/7 care. And it's not certain even with the care that the child would live till 5. The parents are just told this, and they have another baby coming in 4 months. Given the situation of their new born, it's going to be very pricey for the care, and very time consuming. They have validation that the one due in 4 months is a healthy girl, no foreseen problems. The family is a working class family, already they foresaw issues sending two children to college, but with the circumstances it would be difficult enough to send one child to college, and there is still the possibility of more abled body, healthy children.

Obviously with the laws of today, euthanasia of a new born in these circumstances is unlawful and "immoral". But I don't see it as being immoral if it means the chance for a fuller life for the other children and their newborn will not live a life like his/her brothers or sisters or may not live till 5.

I drew a pretty drastic picture, but it's not unrealistic. To better your life and the life of your children, it is tough decision just like abortion, but the answer would be pretty obvious if the option was there. But I do not see the option being available to Americans' any time soon.

09-24-2006, 10:17 AM	#3 (permalink)
Rehpo-+ Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 7	Let me first state, I do believe the disabled or mentally retarded have as much of a chance to living a fullfilled life as the abled. But lets take a hypothetical situation, a doctor determines a child has a severe handicap, illness, or mental retardation. Where it was determined that the child would live their whole life in a wheel chair or would need 24/7 care. And it's not certain even with the care that the child would live till 5. The parents are just told this, and they have another baby coming in 4 months. Given the situation of their new born, it's going to be very pricey for the care, and very time consuming. They have validation that the one due in 4 months is a healthy girl, no foreseen problems. The family is a working class family, already they foresaw issues sending two children to college, but with the circumstances it would be difficult enough to send one child to college, and there is still the possibility of more abled body, healthy children. Obviously with the laws of today, euthanasia of a new born in these circumstances is unlawful and "immoral". But I don't see it as being immoral if it means the chance for a fuller life for the other children and their newborn will not live a life like his/her brothers or sisters or may not live till 5. I drew a pretty drastic picture, but it's not unrealistic. To better your life and the life of your children, it is tough decision just like abortion, but the answer would be pretty obvious if the option was there. But I do not see the option being available to Americans' any time soon.