I'm probably the wrong person to ask about this sort of thing, as I've always been kind of an overpopulation nut and seethe internally when I see families with tons of children; while I can accept that some people want big families, I wish more people would adopt (1. I of course have no idea whether these families did adopt, and 2. I know that adoption is a long process and a sticky subject, as many people want their children to be "their own" - it's simple biology). I'm completely with you that caring for preemies is a really touchy subject - thus the fact that I can't bring myself to talk to anyone about it for fear of coming off as a misanthropic barbarian, not even my wife - and I think the biggest issue should be the baby's quality of life. I understand that there are many other powerful factors involved, especially the parents' desire to save their child, and I too have no way of saying what I would do in the same situation... I just wonder sometimes if it's the ethically right choice. Then again, I was never much of a philosopher.

I'm not sure if I'm really getting my point across here, because half of the thoughts that went through my head I knew would sound even more barbaric, and I wasn't even sure if I meant them. In any case, I agree with your points and wonder about the "cost" (not in dollars) of saving ultra-preemie babies, in particular.