Culture of Death

To the Editor: I found reading at one sitting the letters to the editor and the case study in the January-February 2002 issue of considerably more than passing interest. Here's why. Peter Singer rather widely known for claiming that infants. .. do not have the right to life.... Several letters... concern Wesley Smith's criticism of bioethics (in part) on the grounds that Singer an important figure in the bioethics movement. Al Jonsen has defended bioethics on the grounds that Singer is a marginal and, to a great extent, a repudiated figure in the field (HCR, September-October 2001, 43) .... Jonsen and Smith appear to agree that Singer's views concerning infants are outrageous. Now notice what the commentators on the case study have to say about (what else?) a disabled infant. Baby Grace faces a life in which she will be cognitively normal, but quadriplegic and ventilator dependent. The parents want the ventilator withdrawn. Lauren

Ethics and Legal Issues in Pediatric Healthcare · Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health · Psychology