UK Judge Rules Against Parents and Italian Government's Efforts, Allows Withdrawal of Life Support for Terminally Ill British-Italian Baby

Court ruling ignites international outcry as terminally-ill Indi Gregory and her parents lose legal battle against UK's National Health Service, despite Italian government's offer to provide treatment and grant citizenship to the 8-month old child.

UK High Court Justice Robert Peel has ruled that life support for terminally ill 8-month-old baby, Indi Gregory, should be withdrawn. Indi suffers from a rare metabolic disorder known as mitochondrial disease, which has caused progressive brain damage, leaving her totally dependent on life support.
Despite efforts from Indi's parents and offers from the Italian government, who even granted the baby Italian citizenship to facilitate her transport, Justice Peel determined it was too dangerous to move the infant to Italy for further treatment.
The Italian government had also offered to airlift Indi to the Vatican’s pediatric hospital, Bambino Gesu, where they promised to pay for any treatment. However, Justice Peel ruled continuation of treatment would 'perpetuate a high level of pain and suffering' for the baby.
In response to the ruling, Dean Gregory, Indi's father, has appealed to the British government for help and called it 'disgraceful' for doctors and British courts to ignore Italy's offer.
This case highlights the ongoing tussle regarding parental rights and what is defined as being in the child's best interest. Under British law, a key determinant in cases like these is whether a proposed treatment is in the best interests of the child. The ruling has sparked an international outcry.