U.S. doctor to travel to Britain to evaluate baby Charlie Gard
An American doctor who specializes in conditions such as the one affecting Charlie Gard will travel to Britain next week to assess the critically ill baby.
High Court Judge Nicholas Francis said Friday he was “open-minded about the evidence” to come after the visit of Dr. Michio Hirano of Columbia University.
The 11-month-old boy suffers from mitochondrial depletion syndrome, a rare genetic disease that has left him brain-damaged and unable to breathe unaided.
Hirano’s research focuses on mitochondrial diseases and genetic myopathies, and he has treated others with conditions similar to Charlie’s.
They boy’s parents are fighting an emotional legal battle with Britain’s most famous children’s hospital over whether it is in Charlie’s best interest to try an experimental treatment. The case attracted international attention after Pope Francis and President Trump weighed in on the side of the parents.
They have been fighting to take him to the United States for treatment.
Hirano will assess Charlie and meet his current immediate-care team and other specialists, including a doctor from the Vatican children’s hospital. Charlie’s mother, Connie Yates, fought to attend and was given permission — even though it would not normally be allowed.
“It may be unconventional, but this case is full of unconventional aspects,” the judge said.
Francis has promised to rule by July 25.
Specialists at Great Ormond Street Hospital have fought the parents’ bid for treatment because they don’t think it will help and may cause the boy pain. The hospital says Charlie should be allowed to die with dignity.
A succession of courts has backed the hospital, but the case returned to the High Court on Thursday after claims of new evidence and the high-profile interventions
Hirano, who testified via a video link on Thursday, said it was worth trying treatment that has recently emerged.
Hirano’s name appeared in public only on Friday, as a court order had previously blocked its mention.
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