A
brain-dead pregnant woman is being kept alive against her parents’ wishes
because the law in the Republic of Ireland requires doctors to defend the right
to life of her 17-week-old foetus.
The
woman, who is in her 20s, suffered catastrophic internal injuries and was
admitted to Mullingar’s Midland Regional Hospital two weeks ago, according to
the Irish Independent.
Her baby is still alive but her parents do not want her to be kept
on life-support, although other family members are said to oppose this and want
her to be kept alive.
Foetuses typically cannot survive outside the womb until around 24
weeks.
An expert on Irish medical law, Dr Adam McAuley, said Dublin High
Court most likely will determine whether the woman will be kept on life support
to attempt delivery of the baby.
Medical officials were seeking advice from lawyers regarding their
next move.
Ireland last year amended its abortion ban, legalizing the right
to a termination if a woman’s life is endangered by continued pregnancy.
Health Minister Leo Varadkar says Irish law remains too
restrictive.
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