Letting Defective Babies Die: Who Decides?

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Abstract
This Article explores who, in the first instance, should decide whether to withhold or withdraw treatment from a defective newborn. The Article begins by defining the term “severely defective newborn” and discussing potential sources of liability for persons who decide to withhold or withdraw treatment. It next analyzes the ability of parents, physicians, and courts to make these treatment decisions. The Article concludes that, although parents and physicians may eventually make the specific determination, the legislature should at least set guidelines so that the decisions will be, in some measure, consistent, predictable, adequately informed, and in accord with community values.

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