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"Does Humanity Demand The Saving Of Defective Babies?"

From: Dr. Haiselden And The Bollinger Baby
Creator: n/a
Date: November 17, 1915
Publication: The Chicago Daily Tribune
Source: Available at selected libraries


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Various views were expressed last night on Dr. H.J. Haiselden's pure science that the defective child in the German-American hospital shall be allowed to die. Here are some of them:

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George A. H. Scott, secretary Illinois Humane society -- No law can compel parents to have an operation performed on a child. But in case of a minor operation to improve the health of a child there is a law. Since the child is in a hospital and is being cared for there is no cruelty. As to the question whether the life of the infant should be saved -- whether defective or not -- that is a matter of individual opinion. The tendency of modern thought is that it is better for the human race that defectives do not live. But the moral idea is that life can be taken away only by the One who gave it and should be prolonged at every cost.

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Mrs. Norval Pierce, prominent in society and humane work -- A physician's duty is to prolong life, but I can't understand how any human being could want such a child to live.

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Mrs. Harlan Ward Cooley, president Chicago Woman's club -- If this unfortunate child is to become a burden upon society, then according to modern theories of eugenics its life is valueless. But, according to the less severely scientific human laws, we should cherish this life for the possibilities of development which it may contain. It's more valuable for the human potentialities than the lesser animals which we refrain from putting out of the way.

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Ernest C. Moses, Christian Scientist -- I don't think I should let the baby die. I should live in hope that it would come out of its difficulties.

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The Rev. Norman B. Barr, pastor Olivet Memorial church and superintendent Olivet settlement -- Lives come in and are apparently a hindrance to the state. But life ought to be made to live. No one has a right to hurry death. It would be better for science to do all that it could and I should think it would be interesting to science to let the child live from a scientific standpoint, if not a religious one.

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Dr. Thomsen Von Colditz, specialist -- The baby has not the beauty of a plant. It would be a sorrow for the parents to look upon so long as the child lived and a burden. I think such a person that lives like a plant or an animal in the human family should not be allowed to give unhappiness by living.

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Louis K. Phillips, Christian Scientist -- I would do the kindest thing for the child by leaving it alone for nature to fulfill its own destiny. None is in a position to say how the intelligence back of the phenomena of the universe will express itself. No human mind can take the place of the divine, and by following the natural law one may be led into the highest right.

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State's Attoney Hoyne -- As far as I know, Dr. Haiselden is right in saying there is but one law to which he might possibly be amenable. That is the law relating to criminal neglect in such cases. If death results form criminal neglect, the charge becomes manslaughter. Personally, I think the doctor is doing right. Officially, I shall withhold judgment.

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