SECOND THOUGHT

Looking again at news and commentary

Eugene Robin

San Fransisco Examiner

From the San Fransisco Examiner, September 2, 1989

"What are children's rights to medical treatment?" by Eugene Robin, M.D.

"In a previous column, I indicated that adults have the right (medical and legal) to forgo medical treatment even if it is deemed that the treatment is lifesaving. Do parents have the right to have their young children forgo medical treatment?

"This is a very complicated question and the answer is that it depends on the treatment and it depends on the circumstances.

"A caring Christian Scientist couple ... were prosecuted for involuntary manslaughter and felony child abuse. A jury found them guilty of child abuse. I disagree.

"There is no assurance that the child would have lived had medical care been solicited.

"I have seen the medical testimony and I believe that the prosecution of the parents was based on grossly flawed medical testimony. I don't believe that the courts should require a higher degree of perfection from parents than medicine itself can offer. I am not a Christian Scientist but I have met the mother and she is not abusive but is a loving parent.

"Abuse requires an element of willful, malicious behavior. This couple are loving, caring parents. If the death of their child proves abuse, then perhaps we should prosecute all the physicians that have unintentionally caused harm or death to children by well-intentioned but misguided treatment. The courts will be very full.

"I believe that medicine and the law should be exceedingly certain before they decide to punish parents that have made what seems to them a loving, caring and rational choice."

Excerpts from "Second opinion."
Reprinted with permission of the author.

I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the Lord.

Jeremiah 29:11-14

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