Parents should have the right to deny medical care to their children. Making medical
decisions for your children is an important part of being a responsible parent, and it is not a
decision to be taken lightly. Ultimately it is up to the parents to make decisions about the health
of their children, including what treatments or medications are necessary or acceptable. Some
parents may feel that certain medical treatments are unnecessary or too risky and may choose to
deny them. This can be a difficult decision to make, but parents have the right to make it.
Parents should have every right to make decisions about their child's health in accordance
with what they believe is best. Denying medical treatments or medications can be a positive
choice, as it allows parents to protect their children from potentially dangerous or ineffective
treatments. It also ensures that the child is under the care of the parents, and not of a medical
professional who, while well-intentioned, may not be thinking of the best interests of the child in
every instance. There are a number of medical concerns among children which requires making a
decision by the parents. For instance, the case of transplants of kidneys, separation of conjoined
twins, gene therapy, and sexual surgery on babies among many others need a parent’s decision.
Technological advancement has necessitated these surgeries raising the question of who has the
mandate to make the final decisions about such medical complications and how the minors
should be treated.
Another reason is that minor children lack the appropriate skills; cognitive ability,
experience, and judgment to enable them to govern themselves and make those life-threatening
medical decisions. The reality is that children are not developmentally ready to make
life-threatening medical decisions. They lack the cognitive ability, to make decisions themselves
in these situations. This is why it is so important for parents to be involved in their children's
medical care. Additionally, children may not have the experience or judgment necessary to make
decisions that could have life-altering consequences. Therefore, it is necessary for parents to
make medical decisions on behalf of their minor children.
Making medical decisions is also influenced by the religious beliefs of the individual. It
is estimated that approximately 85% of the world's population identifies with a religion. In some
people's lives, faith plays a very important role in their day-to-day lives as well as their
decision-making. If parents are very religious and believe in certain things, then they will
continue to believe in those things through life and whatever events happen to them in the future.
Medical care for children is included in this category. In the article “Healing or Homicide” the
author states “ These parents love their children and do not wish to see them die or suffer. It is
also their sincere belief that they are acting in the best interests of their children by refusing to
allow them medical treatment. These parents are acting out of their love and conviction for their
children. Regardless of whether it is the same belief as others, the first amendment gives anyone
in this country the right to freedom of religion in this country. Those who belong to this religion
have the right to believe in it and also have the right to refuse to do anything in accordance with
that belief. Many religions believe in prayer over medicine. This is their right to believe and to
be accepted. Other religious groups hold similar beliefs. An example of this is Jehovah's
Witnesses' believe that the Bible does not allow ingesting blood which includes blood
transfusions even in medical emergencies. This religion promotes a natural method of healing.
This is their right to believe in this. They have a right to deny medical care for their children if it
contradicts what their religion says.
Lastly, in “Dyson taking sides” we learn about Daniel Hauser. Daniel Hauser is 13 years
of age. He was diagnosed as suffering from nodular sclerosing Hodgkin's disease, stage IIB. The
Hauser family's local family practice doctor, Dr. Joyce, correctly identified on January 21, 2009,
that "lymphoma certainly seems likely" when Daniel pre- presented with a persistent cough,
fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and other symptoms. Dr. Joyce made a referral to oncology
specialists at Children's Hospitals. The diagnosis was made there and it was determined that the
cancer was readily treatable by therapies including chemotherapy.
In February 2009, Daniel's mother consented to the administration of the chemotherapy
that was recommended to be administered beginning on February 5, 2009. As a result of Daniel's
circumstances and the imminence of the situation, the options that were available to him were
limited. Having been informed of her rights as Daniel's parent, Mrs. Hauser effectively consented
to the initiation of chemotherapy after being adequately informed of her rights as the child's
parent. Following the initial round of chemotherapy, Daniel's lymphoma responded well to the
treatment. As a result of the administration of chemotherapy, Daniel also experienced adverse
side effects that he had to endure. In addition, the family has a genuine and strong belief in the
healing properties of holistic medicine, and, in particular, in Nemen-Hah. Native American
healing practices are the basis for Nemenhah's healing practices. There is a belief in Nemenhah
that Daniel is a "medicine man" and therefore, he does not want to receive any additional
chemotherapy treatments. The parents have the right to now deny this medical care for Daniel
based on their beliefs. In this article, we learn about the Bill of rights and amendment 1. The
article states that this is “ U.S. Bill of Rights: Amendment I Congress shall make no law
respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the
freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to
petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” This proves that the parents have every
right to deny medical care based on their beliefs through amendment 1.