CHARLIE’S FIGHT: Charlie Gard latest news – what’s mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome and will Charlie go to America for treatment?

The case has prompted a fierce debate around the world about medical ethics

The Sun
by Tom Gillespie, David Hughes, Paul Harper and Richard Wheatstone
7/19/2017

Excerpt:

A US doctor has failed to convince Great Ormond Street medics that his experimental treatment offers a lifeline for terminally-ill baby Charlie Gard.

Here’s all we know about the tot with the High Court judge’s decision final decision about the tot’s future looming.

Who is Charlie Gard?

Charlie Gard’s fight for life has touched the world.

The tot is in the “terminal stages” of a disease called mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome, as both of his parents Connie and Chris were unknowingly carrying the faulty gene.

Charlie is said to be one of only 16 people to have ever had the condition.

Doctors at Great Ormond Street Hospital had said Charlie should be allowed to die in dignity.

They applied for permission to have his ventilator switched off.

But his parents are fighting this decision – raising more than £1.3 million to pay for pioneering treatment in the US.

What has happened in the legal battle so far?

April 11 – Charlie’s distraught parents were told by a judge at the High Court that his life support machine will be turned off – ruling that it would be cruel to try and extend Charlie’s life further.

May 25 – The couple begged senior Court of Appeal judges but they upheld the High Court ruling.

May 31 – The tot was given a last minute reprieve when Britain’s Supreme Court agreed to review the case, but they then ruled that Charlie’s life support must be switched off.

June 27 – The European Court of Human Rights ruled that they would not intervene  – which meant his life-support was expected to be stopped on Friday June 30.

June 30 – After a heart-wrenching plea from Chris and Connie, Great Ormond Street agreed to grant them more time with little Charlie to say goodbye.

July 10 – The case returned to the High Court when the family asked for permission to take the terminally ill tot to the States for a “miracle” treatment. More than than 490,000 people signed a petition calling for him to be allowed to travel.

July 17 – A US doctor flew into the UK to meet with British medics. Dr Michio Hirano believes he can help Charlie.

July 18 – Dr Hirano met doctors at Great Ormond Street. The findings of the meeting will be reported to Judge Nicholas Francis, who is expected to make a final decision on July 25.

July 19 – The US Congress gave Charlie US citizenship after Dr Michio Hirano, 56, was unable to convince British consultants that his experimental treatment offers a lifeline.

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https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/3248426/charlie-gard-latest-news-mitochondrial-depletion-syndrome-america-treatment/