Let's Hope We're Not Headed Here

You know, this case is in the U.K. But even those who backed Michael Schiavo's bid to end his wife's life probably would find this disturbing...

Rejecting a bid by the parents, a British judge on Thursday upheld a court order allowing doctors to let a critically ill baby die if she stops breathing — a move doctors say is the only humane way to end the child's suffering.

Eighteen-month-old Charlotte Wyatt can hardly see or hear and weighed about a pound when she was born prematurely. Her brain and other organs are so seriously damaged that she has "no feeling other than continuing pain," according to physicians.

Darren and Debbie Wyatt, who believe in preserving life at any cost, sought to overturn a court order granted in October.

But Justice Mark Hedley was not persuaded by the parents' pleas.

"I am quite clear that it would not be in Charlotte's best interests to die in the course of futile aggressive treatment," Hedley ruled Thursday at London's High Court.

Remember all those disabled rights advocates who were worried about people making decisions as to whether a particular life was worth living? That's nice that a judge can make this determination, over the wishes of the family. I know it's only in the U.K. today... but there are plenty of people here who would willingly follow.