Mercy Killings

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29985, 21 November 1962, Page 9

Mercy Killings

Sir, —I wish to make it clear that I feel intense sympathy for the victims of human bungling, but the central issue is surely that scientific error is not righted by moral evil. Moreover, love is a simple desire to contribute to another’s happiness by complying with his lawrful wishes. Therefore it is sheer arrogance to presume to know the wishes of a child as yet without the power of

reason or speech, and grave injustice to take such a drastic step without consulting the permission of the victim. The only conclusion I can draw from the destruction of deformed babies is a strong suspicion of latenf motives of shame and self-pity, not true love. The philosophy of utilitarianism is horrible, sterile, inhuman, violating the natural rights of God and man. However, personal experience has taught me that deformed children are as happy as any normal child, whose parents do not regard them as mere animals to be put out of their misery.—Yours, etc., A.M. November 20, 1962.