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Mother of six who has learning difficulties can be put through forced sterilisation, rules judge Mother-of-six with learning difficulties can be put through forced sterilisation, rules judge
(34 minutes later)
A mother with learning difficulties – who has had six children – can lawfully be put through forced sterilisation by authorities to prevent further pregnancies, a judge has ruled. A mother-of-six with learning difficulties can lawfully be put through forced sterilisation by authorities to prevent further pregnancies, a judge has ruled.
Health officials and social services bosses made a request for authorised forced entry into the home of the woman and her partner, the use of “necessary restraint” and sterilisation. Health officials and social services bosses made the request to force entry into her home and detain her with “necessary restraint” to be able to carry out sterilisation.
They presented their argument to Mr Justice Cobb, that such moves were in the best interests of the 36-year-old woman – who has not been identified – at a hearing in the Court of Protection. They told Mr Justice Cobb that such moves were in the best interests of the 36-year-old woman – who has not been identified – at a hearing in the Court of Protection.
The woman, whose life could be put at “grave risk” by serious health problems made worse by another pregnancy – according to doctors – has had her children removed from her care by social services.The woman, whose life could be put at “grave risk” by serious health problems made worse by another pregnancy – according to doctors – has had her children removed from her care by social services.
Health workers have claimed that persuading her to use contraception has been difficult. Mr Cobb declared that the woman lacked the mental capacity to make decisions regarding birth control. Health workers have claimed that persuading her to use contraception has been difficult. Mr Cobb declared that the woman lacked the mental capacity to make decisions on birth control.
The judge granted their applications that he described were in “exceptional” and “extreme” circumstances. The judge granted their applications in what he described as “exceptional” and “extreme” circumstances.
He said: “The ethical, legal and medical issues arising here are self-evidently of the utmost gravity, engaging, and profoundly impacting upon [the woman’s] personal autonomy, privacy, bodily integrity, and reproductive rights.”He said: “The ethical, legal and medical issues arising here are self-evidently of the utmost gravity, engaging, and profoundly impacting upon [the woman’s] personal autonomy, privacy, bodily integrity, and reproductive rights.”
“This case is not about eugenics.“This case is not about eugenics.
“This outcome has been driven by the bleak yet undisputed evidence that a further pregnancy would be a significantly life-threatening event for [the woman].”“This outcome has been driven by the bleak yet undisputed evidence that a further pregnancy would be a significantly life-threatening event for [the woman].”
Last year the judge ruled the woman could be restrained and sedated when giving birth to her sixth child.Last year the judge ruled the woman could be restrained and sedated when giving birth to her sixth child.
He concluded a planned caesarean was the best option as he said, after examining evidence provided by various doctors, that she had an “extraordinary and complex obstetric history”.He concluded a planned caesarean was the best option as he said, after examining evidence provided by various doctors, that she had an “extraordinary and complex obstetric history”.