Man Alive

A Loving Thing to Do? (1982x1)

Air date: Apr 24, 1982

Is it murder or mercy to ' allow' a badly damaged baby to die? The dilemma was highlighted in a trial at Leicester Crown Court in November when a consultant paediatrician was found not guilty of the attempted murder of a baby. In the Special Care Baby Unit at Whickham General Hospital, mothers - and fathers - of badly damaged babies are encouraged to live in the unit, to share the life-or-death decisions with the nurses and doctors. The film follows three babies and their parents. Should the artificial feeding be stopped? Should the parents allow their baby to die? Can a mother be taught to love a baby she couldn't even look at?