Charlie Gard, the baby who was in the middle of a legal dispute regarding his treatment, died on Friday. The parents of the baby released a lengthy statement as did The British Prime Minister, Theresa May, and Pope Francis.
Gard’s condition led to reactions from well-known individuals like the Pope and United States President Donald Trump. The baby suffered from an extremely rare genetic condition called mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome. He could not see, cry, swallow or hear, among other afflictions. Charlie’s parents, Connie Yates and Chris Gard, had a lengthy battle with the Great Ormond Street Hospital because they wanted their child to be taken to the United States for treatment.
The British High Court later ordered Charlie to be moved to a hospice and his life support withdrawn after the parents dropped their legal battle. Not long after, the 11-month-old died, BBC reported.
Prime Minister Theresa May, Pope Francis release statements
After Charlie died, Prime Minister Theresa May and Pope Francis released statements regarding his death. May said she is deeply saddened by the death of Charlie, who would have turned one in August. She added that her thoughts and prayers are with the parents of Charlie at this very difficult time.
The Pope took to Twitter to say he entrusts Charlie “to the Father and pray for his parents” as well as the other people who loved the boy. The hospital that the parents of Charlie Gard had a legal battle with also said that they are sending their heartfelt condolences to the family of Charlie.
President Trump released a statement earlier saying that the U.S. would be delighted if they could help Charlie. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence also took to Twitter to say that he is saddened to hear of the passing of Charlie. He continued to say that he and his wife Karen offer their prayers and condolences.
The statements from these individuals came after Yates confirmed that their “beautiful little boy has gone, we are so proud of you Charlie.”
Parents wanted Charlie to undergo experimental treatment
The parents of Charlie wanted to take him to the United States to undergo experimental treatment in an attempt to preserve his life.
Yates noted in her statement before her son died that Charlie touched so many lives in his 11 months in this world and that they do not have control over their son’s life anymore after their wish was denied.
Many questions surfaced regarding the rule when it comes to sick children. It is unclear if parents or doctors should have the final say when it comes to the treatment that a sick child must go through. The case went to Britain’s Supreme Court as well as the European Court of Human Rights but both supported the hospital’s arguments.
U.S. doctor offered experimental treatment
Dr. Michio Hirano, a neurologist at Columbia University Medical Center, offered the parents of Charlie nucleoside therapy.
The New York Times said that the therapy was only tested on mice and on 18 people who had a specific genetic mutation. It was never tried yet to anyone who had the same genetic condition as Charlie’s. Hirano went to London but the scans showed that the damage on Charlie’s body was no longer irreversible. The parents of Charlie then slammed the hospital saying that because of the legal battle, the chances of Charlie being cured was already too late. The hospital stood firm with their statement that any kind of treatment would have been useless.
