Severely handicapped newborns often require life-sustaining medical treatment immediately after birth. Recent reports have indicated that parents and/or physicians occasionally decide not to provide that life-sustaining treatment, thus ensuring that the newborn will die. Not to provide such treatment is referred to as an act of involuntary euthanasia. Whether such infants are given treatment or are allowed to die depends on the philosophic orientation of both parents and professionals involved in the decision-making process. The issues involved relative to treatment or involuntary euthanasia are reviewed from two opposing perspectives. A brief review of suggested policy to regulate such decisions concludes the article.
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