March 28, 1992

READERS GRAPPLE WITH ISSUE

PAMELA FERDINAND Herald Staff Writer

Moved by Theresa Ann Pearson's plight, busy South Floridians paused to ponder the larger question of who should decide whether a child lives or dies: God or us?

"When I first read about this, I wanted immediately for them to give other children the baby's organs," agonized Shirley Miller of Pembroke Pines. "But then I thought of the precedent that this would set and what would happen if we did this."

About 200 people called TeleHerald lines Friday, most expressing support for giving Theresa's organs to other children in need.

"The baby is going to die, why not let something good come out of it?" said Robin Katzenstein of Davie. "Give her death some dignity."

But several callers felt the baby should be allowed to die peacefully.

"I think the baby should be able to live, not be cut up," said Gloria Traitz of Miami. "What's next? Taking the organs of old people who are going to die anyway?"

As a Catholic, June Fowler from Miramar said, she opposes abortion.

"Yet I believe in this case God would expect us to use these parts if we could," she said.

Some callers had harsh words for Judge Estella Moriarty, despite her reputation as a defender of children's rights.

"They needed a strong judge who would use common sense where children's lives could be saved," said Dr. Ronald Marx of Hollywood. "This judge was a gutless moron."

Another Hollywood caller, Gerald Weiner, said Moriarty's decision was "the most morally wrong decision ever made by a court."

"I really think she should have thought of all the kids that are going to die because they didn't get an organ," he said. "What about their right to life?"

Underlying all the heart-felt opinions was a deeper message. Dr. Alexander Goldenberg put it this way:

"No one in their right mind wants to see a baby suffer. All the world loves a baby."