I can help Charlie recover, top US professor tells judge
A TOP US doctor told the High Court in London yesterday that desperately ill baby Charlie Gard does stand a chance of making a slight recovery.
The dramatic testimony came after the boy’s parents, Chris Gard and Connie Yates, stormed out of court following a dispute over evidence.
Mr Gard, 32, and his 31-year-old partner left after he snapped at Mr Justice Francis: “You’re supposed to be independent.”
After they returned, the judge told them: “I completely understand that this is desperate for you. You walking out is entirely acceptable. I don’t mind at all. If you do intend to leave the court, just say so, and we will carry on without you or adjourn.”
The American neurology professor, who cannot be named for legal reasons, claimed he could help Charlie with experimental treatment. Giving evidence via videolink from New York, he said: “I estimate the chance of clinically, meaningful success is about 10 per cent.”
He claimed tests carried out on laboratory mice showed his work could combat Charlie’s Mitochondrial DNA Depletion Syndrome.
The tot is in the “terminal stages” of the disease that stops any energy going to his brain, kidneys or muscles. He is being kept alive by a ventilator machine.
Experts
The academic said “new and unpublished” data showed his technique may tackle muscle-wasting and, at the same time, stimulate brain growth.
Taken through his evidence by the parents’ barrister, Grant Armstrong, he also claimed 11-month-old Charlie’s brain scans showed “disfunction” rather than structural damage.
The couple, of Hounslow, west London, want their son to fly to America to have the treatment offered by the professor and backed by six other medical experts.
Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, where Charlie is on life-support, claims there is no evidence the overseas doctors can help. It has argued that the life-support treatment should be withdrawn and that he should be allowed to die with dignity.
Questioned by Katie Gollop, for Great Ormond Street, the US doctor admitted that he had not read or even asked to see Charlie’s full medical records. He also told the court he had never asked to visit Britain to examine Charlie and had not read the judge’s earlier ruling in the case.
Mr Justice Francis ruled in April that Charlie should be allowed to “die with dignity” and his decision was backed by the Appeal Court, Supreme Court and European Court of Human Rights.
The couple claim new evidence from the US doctor means all the earlier judgments should be reviewed. Mr Armstrong said: “The parents seek to reopen the case in Baby Charlie Gard’s parents arriving at the High Court yesterday. They later stormed out after disputing the evidence given to the judge, Mr Justice Francis, left relation to the chances of success of treatment. This case does raise some important issues.” Before yesterday’s hearing, Miss Yates said: “We are continuing to spend every moment working around the clock to save our dear baby Charlie.
“We’ve been requesting this specialised treatment since November and never asked the hospital, courts or anyone for anything except for the permission to go.
“We love him more than life itself. If he’s still fighting, then we’re still fighting.”
As he adjourned the case yesterday, Mr Justice Francis hit out at “vile” abuse and threats aimed at medical staff at Great Ormond Street.
He warned that perpetrators would be punished if their identities became known and said he wanted that message to go out “loud and clear”. He added: “I don’t know how anybody can think they are helping the parents’ case.”
The hearing continues.