Court of Appeal denies protection to embryo

A girl born with severe brain damage after her mother drank extensively during pregnancy is not entitled to compensation because a baby in the womb is not a human person, the Court of Appeal has ruled. The girl's mother continued to drink excessively despite warnings of the consequences. The 7 year old is now in care.

The case is likely to be appealed.

Andrea Williams commented, "the abortion lobby opposed this girl's claim because its ideology was threatened. This case highlights the inconsistency of not recognising the unborn child as a human person. It is claimed that although she lives with the consequences of the damage now, that damage was inflicted on her 'before she became a person'. How can that make sense?"

Related Coverage:
Foetal alcohol syndrome case dismissed by Court of Appeal (BBC)