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Doctors' dilemma over request to switch off life-support in pregnancy | Doctors' dilemma over request to switch off life-support in pregnancy |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Irish health authorities are reportedly seeking legal advice on whether they can switch off the life-support machine of a pregnant woman who is brain dead. | Irish health authorities are reportedly seeking legal advice on whether they can switch off the life-support machine of a pregnant woman who is brain dead. |
It is understood that the woman, who is 16 weeks pregnant, suffered a brain trauma because of a blood clot. | It is understood that the woman, who is 16 weeks pregnant, suffered a brain trauma because of a blood clot. |
Her parents asked for her life-support machine to be switched off, but doctors are reportedly unwilling to do so. | Her parents asked for her life-support machine to be switched off, but doctors are reportedly unwilling to do so. |
They want clarification on whether doing so might break the Republic of Ireland's abortion laws. | They want clarification on whether doing so might break the Republic of Ireland's abortion laws. |
They are seeking legal advice on an amendment to the Irish constitution, passed in the 1980s, that gives equal rights of life to a mother and to the unborn. | |
The woman is in her late 20s. | The woman is in her late 20s. |
While the hospital will not comment - there appears to be a concern that the amendment means the woman ought to be kept alive because of the pregnancy. | |
Details of her case emerged fewer than 24 hours after Irish Health Minister Leo Varadkar, who is a medical doctor, said he believed the constitutional amendment was too restrictive. | Details of her case emerged fewer than 24 hours after Irish Health Minister Leo Varadkar, who is a medical doctor, said he believed the constitutional amendment was too restrictive. |
He said it had a "chilling effect" on doctors. | He said it had a "chilling effect" on doctors. |
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