A COUPLE who want to take their sick baby son to the US for experimental therapy hope to bring their case before the European Court of Human Rights after losing a Supreme Court fight.
Chris Gard and Connie Yates are parents to 10-month-old Charlie Gard, who has a rare genetic condition that causes brain damage and progressive muscle weakness.
Specialists at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, where Charlie is being cared for, say therapy proposed by a doctor in America is experimental and will not help. They also say life-support treatment should stop.
In April, a High Court judge ruled against the journey to America and in favour of the doctors. Mr Justice Francis concluded life-support treatment should end and said Charlie should be allowed to die with dignity.
Court of Appeal judges upheld that ruling last month and a panel of three Supreme Court justices yesterday dismissed the couple’s latest challenge. Doctors were told to continue treating Charlie for 24 hours to allow judges in Strasbourg to look at the case.
Charlie’s mother screamed when the decision was announced. She left the hearing in tears and broke down outside the court room.
Born on August 4 last year, Charlie has a form of mitochondrial disease. Specialists in the US have offered a treatment called nucleoside bypass therapy. His parents, who are from London, have raised £1.3 million on a GoFundMe page to cover doctors’ bills in America.
Lady Hale, Deputy President of the Supreme Court, said any judge was bound to have the utmost sympathy with Charlie’s parents but that Mr Justice Francis had made decisions he was entitled to make.
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