Even with this experimental treatment (and assuming it's a success), the poor boy will be left with irreversible brain damage and unable to live unassisted, without medical means. His quality of life will still be zero.

I'm a parent and also the uncle to a disabled boy, but I'm sorry to say, in this case they should let him die peacefully and with dignity.

And also, I can 100% understand the parent's stance and why they can't rationally distance themselves from the decision. Every parents views change when it's "your own". It's a perfectly natural bias. They are in denial about the severity of their son's condition, as is often the case with parents of disabled children, in my limited experience.

Well done everyone for contributing in a rational and reasoned manner to a potentially incendiary subject...both sides of the debate having their say and getting their views across without the usual slanging matches erupting.

Some great and valid points from both sides

Just how HOL should be

The Voice of Reason In An Otherwise Mediocre World

No experience with children, but I had to make that call with my mother. The fact that she had made her wishes clear to me still didn't stop it being a difficult thing to do, but sometimes you just have to love them enough to let them go.

A stairway to Heaven and a Highway to Hell give some indication of expected traffic numbers

Both Becky and Jamies posts are very sad and difficult to read. Probably because most of us know this is a scenario many of have either faced or will do in the future.

I think sometimes people feel so guilty at having to make the hard choice they choose to wait , possibly hoping the decision will be out of their hands at some stage and they won't have to live with the guilt . It's a difficult thing to bring up isn't it. My mum has got quite defensive about it at times. Thinks I am wishing her dead or something but I think having 'that' conversation and having some thought as to the wishes of the other person , although doesn't make it hurt any less , it can help you later to be confident you are doing something they would ultimately be at peace with you about. Xx

When I was a young girl my Mother said to me.. You listen here kid you're CPFC

How cruel we as a society are, that we would allow people to be starved or suffocated to death, by turning off machines, but not provide a means of death that is painless such as an overdose of diamorphine or barbiturate: that we as a society would see our own moral senses as being more valid than the suffering an individual is going through as their body decays or collapses around them, whilst their mind goes on.

"One Nation Under God, has turned into One Nation Under the Influence of One Drug"
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Parents back in court today waiting for a decision from the judge as they seek to overrule the last court judgement saying life support should be withdrawn.

Personally I envisage the court upholding the last judgement and this continuing. How can the doctors physically withdraw life support with two parents in attendance who would understandably be hysterical and are completely anti the decision. I can only see more of a stand off. More legal challenges to buy the parents time and this child remaining in this state until he passes away of his own accord. What happens if he doesn't? Mind boggling scenario

When I was a young girl my Mother said to me.. You listen here kid you're CPFC