Freedom of Choice Regarding Health Care – A Disappearing Option?
William R. Boone, Ph.D., D.C.
Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research ~ Volume 3 ~ Number 1 ~ Pages 1-4
Abstract
Recently on a visit to New Zealand (NZ), I was captivated by media attention given to the plight of a family with a 3 year old male child medically diagnosed with cancer. The family decided to seek “alternative” care for their child in lieu of medically administered chemotherapy. Actually, this article should end here, given that parents are acknowledged to be responsible for their children at this age, and therefore, informed decisions should be within the purview of the parents, regardless of the outcome.
It seems absurd, at the least, that a court order proclaiming that the “State” would remove the child from the parents and subject the three year old to chemotherapy, without respect for the wishes of the parents, and without consideration for the wishes of the child, which
because of the child’s age were deemed uninformed. The family has since gone into hiding to avoid such an action, and as of 3/18/99 have not been located.
