Ian McEwan

and nearly everybody else, bed-bound in a garret, she discovers in herself a sense of hu-

When a court determines any question with respect to … the upbringing of a child … the child’s welfare shall be the court’s paramount consideration.
—SECTION 1(A), THE CHILDREN ACT, 1989

The boy would stand a decent chance. Though not as good as it would have been if we’d transfused from the start.”

The sensation will be one of drowning slowly. Before that he may suffer internal bleeding. Renal failure is a possibility. Some patients lose their sight. Or he may suffer a stroke, with any number of neurological consequences. Cases differ. The only sure thing is that it would be a horrible death.”

And treatment without consent would constitute a trespass of the person, or indeed an assault of that person.”

Adam is very nearly an adult. Is it not the case that he has expressed his view to treatment intelligently and articulately?”

His views are those of his parents. They’re not his own. His objection to being transfused is based on the doctrines of a religious cult for which he may well become a pointless martyr.”

There are at least twenty-seven stages between taking a blood sample and the recipient receiving their transfusion and there is potential for error at each stage of the process

There are at least twenty-seven stages between taking a blood sample and the recipient receiving their transfusion and there is potential for error at each stage of the process.’”

There are at least twenty-seven stages between taking a blood sample and the recipient receiving their transfusion and there is potential for error at each stage of the process.’”