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Case One: Patient Interests and Medical Paternalism
- Article from:
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Clinical Laboratory Science
- Article date:
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April 1, 2008
- Author:
- Mulnix, M J
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Copyright informationCopyright American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science Spring 2008. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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A 16-year-old Hodgkin lymphoma patient refuses to have his blood specimen drawn, thus canceling his scheduled oncologic treatment. As a 16-year-old, he has no legal standing as an adult. His parents are split over his decision. One supports his right to choose; the other wishes the specimen to be drawn and the chemotherapy reinstated. The physicians at the hospital are seeking legal redress to have the court order the blood specimens to be taken.
INDEX TERMS: autonomy; bioethics; informed consent; Kant; Mill; utilitarianism.
Clin Lab Sci 2008;21(2):116
The most fundamental question presented by this case is, "Who is in position to judge what is in the patient's best interest?" To many, the ...