Judge Chooses Medical Treatment for Child with Cancer

A  Minnesota Judge has ruled a child with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma must have chemotherapy therapy if his next x-ray study indicates his cancer is spreading. The child, Daniel Hauser is a 13 year old patient. His family has opted to treat his condition using alternative treatments.

The Judge ruled in a 58 page ruling that Daniel was being medically neglected by his parents because they chose to use less invasive methods to help their child. Daniel’s parents stopped the chemotherapy in February after one treatment and chose the alternative methods due to religious beliefs. It is reported that Daniel made the decision himself to stop treatment but the judge felt he does not fully understand the condition he is suffering from.

The concern with this ruling is the ability for the legal system to govern what your personal decision would be for your health. There is a very fine line being crossed in this Judges ruling. Being forced to receive a treatment that you choose not to have does not appear to be ethical.

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