Charlie Gard was a British infant born in August 2016 with a rare genetic condition known as mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome. This condition caused severe brain damage and left him unable to move or breathe independently. His case gained international attention as his parents sought experimental treatment in the United States, which was not available in the UK. The situation became a legal battle, as doctors at Great Ormond Street Hospital argued that the treatment would not improve Charlie's quality of life. Ultimately, the European Court of Human Rights ruled against the parents' wishes, and Charlie passed away in July 2017.