[Gayle]

There is one point though - again playing devil's advocate a little - at what point do you decide?

If a blind couple or disabled couple announce they want to have children do you refuse them that right on the basis that they may not be able to cope? Or, do you allow them to have children and then take them away?

I'm not arguing for either, just want to know what you would do? We have the great advantage of hindsight in this instance and seem to agree that these parents should not have children but where is the line between their human rights and the rights of the children (unborn or otherwise) and at what point should it have been drawn? Also, would we draw the same line at the same point for another couple?

The problem that I'm getting at is that the social services have to make the decision about that line day in day out. Again in hindsight they've clearly got it wrong but by responding to the outcry from this case they may draw the line earlier next time and be equally as wrong depriving a loving (blind or disabled) couple the right to children.