An influential Canadian doctors’ association has proposed expanding the country’s euthanasia laws so newborn babies suffering from serious disabilities could be given lethal drugs for the first time. In light of this, we discuss the often conflicting philosophies that lie behind our medical thinking on the unborn child versus newborn babies. What was so shocking and distinctive about how the early church treated babies so casually discarded by pagan Greco-Roman society? Are we losing this legacy of Christendom as both abortion and euthanasia are pushed ever further forwards? What will it look like in the coming decades for Christians to bear witness to their counter-cultural convictions about the full humanity and dignity of babies?

Our previous episode on Canada’s euthanasia programme, Medical Assistance in Dying: https://www.johnwyatt.com/how-can-christian-doctors-approach-medically-assisted-dying/
John’s essay on better options for caring for newborn babies with life-limiting or even lethal abnormalities: https://www.johnwyatt.com/essay-palliative-care-for-babies-following-a-diagnosis-of-lethal-fetal-abnormality/
An article exploring further the radical approach early Christians took to newborn children compared to classical culture: https://www.johnwyatt.com/article-neonatal-ethics/

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Released on 10 Sep 2025