Reflections on the withdrawal of treatment from newborn infants

The paper reviews the principal arguments that have been used to justify or otherwise the withdrawal of treatment for severely damaged neonates. The present confused legal situation is outlined and also the various considerations that have been put forward as relevant to the process of making decisions. It is argued that these decisions are not technical but are moral and social ones taken in the light of professional and technical expertise. Therefore parents should be involved in them as they have to live with the consequences of what is decided. The legal system does not seem very helpful in resolving present difficulties. At best, it forms a framework within which we can evolve appropriate decision-making procedures.