'Baby Doe' rulings-review and comment.

The recent controversy over the "Baby Doe" regulations issued by the Department of Health and Human Services represents the culmination of a dilemma that has faced the medical and legal professions for more than a decade. Although they have not been upheld by the courts, the regulations express the position that withholding treatment from defective newborns may constitute discrimination on the basis of handicap and advocate mechanisms for the reporting of such practices. Legislation regarding this issue is pending at both the national and state levels. The rulings have been disputed by many medical and professional groups, which are working to provide acceptable alternatives.