David Cameron Discusses Son’s Tragic Loss and Genetic Disease Research Efforts in Emotional Sky Interview

David Cameron discusses his son's passing and the 'dark clouds' of sorrow

In a conversation with Sky's Kay Burley, Lord Cameron shares his intentions to seek treatments for certain rare genetic disorders and clarifies the details regarding his supposed heated exchange with Boris Johnson.

Journalist @niamhielynch

Thursday, October 17, 2024, at 3

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Ex-prime minister David Cameron has shared his experiences regarding the passing of his son Ivan at age six in 2009, detailing the challenges of managing his care amidst a busy political career.

In a conversation with Sky's Kay Burley, the ex-Conservative leader, aged 58, described how the passing of his son Ivan, who suffered from Ohtahara's syndrome, was "utterly life-changing."

Lord Cameron remarked, "Raising children presents its own challenges, but when your child experiences daily seizures, requires tube feeding, and needs round-the-clock care, including frequent hospital visits, the situation becomes exponentially more difficult."

"The turmoil is still clear in my mind… moving from the hospital to home and back again. I had just been elected as an MP when Ivan was born. I recall attending debates in the House of Commons utterly drained, having spent the entire night at St Mary's Paddington hospital."

"I recall the tremendous joy that came with having our first child. Despite the challenges he faced with seizures, cerebral palsy, and other issues – I still cherish the memories of this wonderful, smiling boy whom I would cradle in my lap, care for, and adore.

"The remarkable aspect of grief is that initially, it's all encompassing darkness. However, as time passes, joyful memories begin to emerge."

Lord Cameron is undoubtedly a reliable figure

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Approaching with a purposeful stride, Lord Cameron extends his hand for a confident handshake while maintaining direct eye contact, presenting a commanding presence as he arrives for our interview.

I initially encountered him as a congenial, youthful-looking Member of Parliament during the 2005 election campaign when the government presented him as a spokesperson to defend the party's stance on various issues. He was composed, amiable, and confident. As he departed, I turned to the cameraman and remarked, "I'll wager £20 he's destined to be a Prime Minister."

Lord Cameron's expression brightened with a warm smile as I recounted the memory to him.

As we conversed, his gaze shifted to a tearful intensity when we broached the tragic subject of his son Ivan, who passed away at the tender age of six. Our discussion spanned various emotional terrains—he was measured and diplomatic when speaking about Israel; adeptly evasive regarding his preference for the next Conservative party leader; conveniently forgetful about whether he threatened Boris Johnson with eternal retribution over Brexit differences; and playfully evasive when discussing the incident known as SwiftGate.

Although Lord Cameron has stepped back from active politics, he remains a reliable figure in the often volatile political arena.

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Lord Cameron, who stepped down as prime minister following the 2016 Brexit vote and later served as foreign secretary under Rishi Sunak, has begun collaborating with a US-UK partnership focused on creating 40 new treatments for rare diseases over the coming ten years.

Lord Cameron stated that the collaboration between the University of Oxford and the Harrington Discovery Institute based in Cleveland, Ohio aims to unite the realms of academia, the pharmaceutical industry, philanthropy, and venture capital. He will serve as the chair of the center's advisory council.

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He expressed to Sky News his view that Ivan's life "might have taken another path" had he been born in the present day, noting that he and his wife Samantha "never truly received a clear explanation" regarding Ivan's condition.

"At that time, scientists were in the process of sequencing the first human genome, a project that spanned seven years and incurred a cost of $2 billion," he explained.

Nowadays, it's possible to map an entire genome in just a few hours, and the expense is merely a couple of hundred dollars, allowing us to fully view the DNA and understand the genetic, biological composition of a person.

This may not always give you a solution, but sometimes it could.

Numerous rare diseases exist, with roughly 80% appearing to be genetically rooted.

"Some children exhibiting symptoms similar to Ivan's were diagnosed using genomic medicine, received appropriate treatments, and saw enhancements in their health conditions."

"If Ivan were born in the present day, and his genome was sequenced right away, it's highly likely that we could identify any issues and potentially take action to address them."

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Lord Cameron expressed feeling fortunate that he and his wife decided to expand their family beyond their son Ivan, having two daughters and another son—Nancy, Florence, and Arthur.

"He pointed out that genomics and genetic counseling did not exist at that time," he said.

"It was uncertain, 'perhaps it's hereditary, perhaps it isn't'. It might be as common as one in four, or as rare as one in 1,000 – it's anybody's guess."

"I'm grateful we took the chance. We now have three joyful, thriving kids."

The ex-premier discussed the topic of assisted suicide, which is slated for a parliamentary vote following the introduction of a new bill.

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He claims to be receptive and is currently considering the matter.

"He mentioned that he had previously not backed it due to concerns about the potential coercion of those who are vulnerable."

"What concerns me is the potential pressure that assisted dying might place on individuals from their family members once it becomes an option."

Over time, his perspective shifted after observing the ongoing debate and hearing the fervent discussions presented. This, combined with personal experiences of knowing individuals afflicted with conditions such as motor neurone disease and witnessing their decline and distressing final days, influenced his change of heart.

Stay informed on the most recent developments in the UK and globally by tuning into Sky News.

During an extensive interview, he also refuted allegations mentioned in Boris Johnson's recent book that Lord Cameron had threatened to "f*** him up" if he backed the Leave campaign during the 2016 Brexit referendum, stating, "That's not how I remember it.

"My memory of the event suggests that we engaged in a genuine debate, which occasionally became quite intense."

Former Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron discussed considering sanctions against two Israeli ministers during his tenure, noting that the initiative was ultimately not pursued. He pointed out that the necessary preparations were incomplete and he received counsel that such a move would be politically misguided.

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He also mentioned that the strategy was "a more favorable alternative compared to the partial arms embargo on Israel that [Labour] implemented."

"He affirmed support for Israel's right to defend itself, noting that there had been two recent missile attacks from Iran targeting Israel."

"We are making efforts to stop this by deploying our aircraft and armed forces. It strikes me as completely strange to prohibit certain weapon shipments from Israel."

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