A controversial decision by the Connecticut supreme court forcing a very unwilling teen into chemotherapy treatment for her cancer has been garnering a lot of attention and opened a huge debate about the rights of patients and the role of doctors. Do doctors have the right to override dissenting patients if they don’t agree with the patient’s decisions? While some feel that the court made the correct decision because of Cassandra Fortin’s age — she’s 17 — or because of her particular condition — she has cancer — others are completely outraged at this gross violation patient rights. There are grave concerns of a slippery slope as the number of these cases rise. This abhorrent behavior on the part of doctors and others in the medical profession is not limited to cancer patients, or teenagers.
You need to read this lengthy article.. the above is just an example.. our court system… IMO… is more influenced by a particular judge’s personal beliefs or biases.. the interpretation of the laws on the books is all over the place..
I don’t want to get into a debate whether a 17 yr should be able to make this decision… but.. if a 17 y/o killed someone or something really seriously against the law.. would our same judicial system try them as a juvenile or an adult ?… my money is on they would be tried as an adult. I believe that this girl was within a few months in turning 18 y/o … would that me that she would have developed sufficient wisdom in those few months to have the right to make a decision. ?
Hundreds of pregnant women have been court ordered into procedures they declined by doctors, who were perturbed by the patients’ dissenting opinions to medical advice. Most disturbing was the case of Angela Carder, a pregnant woman who relapsed with cancer. Her dearest wish was to remain alive long enough to deliver and hold her baby, even if it meant sacrificing her own life. An over-zealous doctor, concerned by Carder’s deteriorating condition, went to court and obtained an order allowing her to deliver Carder’s baby by Cesarean section at 26.5 weeks gestation. Carder, her husband, her parents, and her lawyer all vehemently protested this decision, even as Carder was being unwillingly wheeled into the operating room. The surgery killed Carder and her baby.
No corresponding responsibility for COLLATERAL DAMAGE ?
Filed under: General Problems
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