Charlie Gard is terminally ill. As the Express newspaper stated, he has a rare genetic condition called "mitochondrial depletion syndrome". This essentially "saps energy" from vital organs and causes "progressive muscle weakness". Such is his condition, Charlie cannot breath without a ventilator.

What is the issue?

Charlie's parents, Connie Yates and Chris Gard, wanted to take their baby to the United States to undergo a "therapy trial". However, this "plea for help" was rejected by the courts, all the way to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in Strasbourg.

The ECJ stated that further treatment would continue to cause Charlie "significant harm", as the BBC reported. Having "exhausted" all legal avenues, the life support machine for Charlie is to be turned off. However, Great Ormond Street Hospital, where Charlie is staying, have stated that the cutoff point will be extended to allow his parents to spend more time with their boy.

Asking the main question

So, who should have the final say? Is it up to the courts to decide or Charlie's parents? Although it is a legal issue, it would seem more acceptable to allow the parents to have a say. It is they who will lose a child; it is they who will mourn and grieve Charlie's loss, so surely they should have more of an influence then a judge would have.

But then, maybe a view without emotion is needed. The judges would obviously be acting in, you would think, the best interests of Charlie.

It is a complex issue and it seems that a middle-way may be the best option. Talking to each other and having a happy medium may be the solution.