Quality of Life, Sanctity of Creation: Palliative or Apotheosis?

Abstract

Sadly, the vexatious socio-legal, medical, and ethical issues investigated in this pathbreaking Article in 1984, still remain unresolved and are -- thus -- of great moment in contemporary society. This Article suggests a construct for deciding the extent to which ordinary or extraordinary medical care should be undertaken to assure that extremely handicapped newborns have life options which not only recognize their integrity and acknowledge sanctity of life, or vitalism, but -- as well -- recognize qualitative markers of human existence which allow neonates freedom from refractory pain and suffering. Compassion and common sense should be the watch words for both the development of policy and for clinical practice here.