| 
|
Page: Profile: Wren's Nest News Local
| Total Views: 4,940,727
|
Article: 12659
[Religious]
Date Posted:
4/12/2005
11:38:28 am EDT
Wvox Stats
Views: 17,982
RSS: 7,572
Comments: 24
|
Jehovah's Witness, 14, Loses Fight To Refuse Transfusions
Author: Damian Inwood (with a file from Jack Keating) Source: Canada.com
Title: JEHOVAH'S WITNESS, 14, LOSES FIGHT TO REFUSE TRANSFUSIONS
  A 14-year-old Okanagan member of the Jehovah's Witness church has lost a bitter court battle against receiving blood transfusions.
B.C. Supreme Court Justice Mary Boyd ruled yesterday that a provincial court judge had the power to authorize emergency transfusions against the girl's will.
Her lawyer, Shane Brady, said the girl's family is "disappointed" and is considering taking the case to the B.C. Court of Appeal.
Brady said the girl believed transfusions were a "violation of the biblical command to abstain from blood. The decision is based on her religious conscience."
| Options: [Read Full Story] [Comments Locked]
[Email to a Friend]
|
|
Community Thoughts: There are 24 comments posted | Reverse Sort |
| Biblical Analysis | Apr 14th. at 11:30:18 am EDT
|
Fred Lawrence (Kansas City, Kansas) - Email Me
The Jehovah's Witnesses interpret the Hebrew Scriptures as forbidding blood transfusions, something that couldn't have been done back 3, 000 years ago. I find it noteworthy that the Jews themselves have never interpreted those same verses as forbidding blood transfusions. Judaism has always put a very high value on human life and with a handful of exceptions, any of the Laws can and must be violated in order to preserve human life. The rule against "eating blood" is not one of the exceptions.
I know I am being legalistic and pedantic, but the JW's sometimes die or let their children die due to their own peculiar interpretation of the Bible.
|
| This'll Sound Mean, But.... | Apr 13th. at 10:47:14 am EDT
|
Sea Raven (New Haven, Connecticut) - Email Me
The parents AND the child want to refuse the transfusion? Let 'em. It seems that the doctors and hospital tried their best. The outcome will be solely on the parents' consciences. *shrug*
***Note: I disagree with the practices of the Jehovah's Witnesses.***
|
| Chattel | Apr 12th. at 10:29:11 pm EDT
|
Red Cedar Owl (Deville, Louisiana) - Email Me
Whether you like it are not minors (those under 18) are the property of their parents. If your little Johnny or Janey witch destroyes something of mine Who do I sue for redress --the Parents. That is the difference between minors and majors -- a single day the day they turn 18. Minors are not compentant before law to enter into contracts and a host of other things. NOW, by Custom many courts/judges will consult with children 12 years old or older to see how they feel about many issues BUT the judge is not obligated to rule as the "minor" sees it. Sorry, but that is the law-- don't like it -- change the law
|
| Hmmm | Apr 12th. at 7:08:47 pm EDT
|
Rev. Velvet Michael (Mesa, Arizona) - Email Me
Okay, from what I read here this isn't saying that the girl is going to have a transfusion, but the ruling was made in order to make sure that if one was needed, the medical staff would be able to do so. As a nurse I have taken care of many people undergoing chemotherapy, and whereas transfusions do occur, they are not an automatic part of the treatment process. There are many medications that can be given to this young girl to prevent the need for transfusion. While a person is undergoing chemotherapy a number of lab tests are done during the process, tests that monitor the blood are an ongoing part of chemotherapy.
So if this girls tests comes back and shows that she is low in her Red blood cells, she can be given a drug called Erthropoieten. This is a biosdynthtic form of a natural hormone that will stimulate Red blood cell formation. If her White blood cell count is low she can be given Neupogen, which is another biosynthetic drug of a naturally occuring hormone, that will stimulate formation of neutrophils, which are very important for fighting infection. To increase her platelet production she can be given Interleukin II, which is genetically produced from another naturally occuring human hormone, which will stimulate her platelet production.
If her clotting abilitiy becomes low, she can be given Desmopressin to increase plasma factor VIII, and Vit. K which is required for the production of clotting factors II, VII, IX, and X in the liver. All of these medications can and usually are used in conjunction with chemotherapy to prevent the need for blood transfusions and to help keep the patient in as healthy a state as possible.
As I said the need for transfusion does arise, but it doens't arise that often, it all really depends on the course of the disease process and how the body is responding to it. According to the paper this was done because the medical staff wanted a safety net IF the need arose, and knowing beforehand the religious beliefs and practices of the family may have been what prompted their need to seek early intervention.
I would tend to agree that maybe this girl wouldn't be refusing the procedure if she didn't have the potential of shunning hanging over her head.
Brightest Blessings
StormRavn
|
| It's Goose And Gander Time. | Apr 12th. at 4:47:09 pm EDT
|
bigcat (peoria, Illinois) - Email Me
Right to die is a very hot topic these days. So I find it good that this case should be treated in this way. Its very amazing when these oh so religious types can dare to interfere with a family's traumatic problem when the patient WANTS to end it all, yet in the same breath claim a "RIGHT" not to have lifesaving procedures for themselves citing 'religious principles'. After all, god's a busy being. Suppose, he doesn't answer to save them. They might die on their own without help.
Personally, I do believe very much in the right to determine what end I choose if it helps my family to cut down the prohibitive cost of my care and ends my misery if my life quality is lessened to the point where I am begging to die every day. But these religious types, who would deny me or any others this very right to die on religious grounds, deserve to be denied the right to to deny themselves lifesaving procedures because of religious principles. If I am denied any choice they should be as well.
Fair is fair after all.
|
| Perspective | Apr 12th. at 4:40:36 pm EDT
|
NightLad (Toronto, Ontario) - Email Me
This is a 14 year old girl. Not an adult. The Judge obviously found that she is not a mature minor and thusly not equipped to make the decision to refuse life-saving treatment. Had she been an adult, or a mature minor, this would never have gone to court. Personally, I pity people who fear being shunned and thrown out of their supposedly “loving” religious community more than suffering brain damage or death when it could easily be avoided.
If they are an adult, yes, it is their choice. But a child? I hear a lot of people saying, “It was her choice! How dare they force something on her!” Well, I know a lot of 14 year olds who would love to “choose” to drop out of school. But legally, that is not allowed.
I’m going to assume that many would support the government’s protection of their right to an education, yet boo and hiss the government for protecting a 14 year old girl’s right to good healthcare when it is found that she is unable to make a decision about it for herself. Odd.
(And as a matter of fact, yes, it is the Law in Canada that every patient should receive the best health care available. Anything less is considered negligence by the hospital. Since this girl is still a child it was the direct obligation of the hospital to do everything in their power to ensure she receive life saving treatment.)
|
| JW's And Transfusions | Apr 12th. at 3:27:08 pm EDT
|
Tacitala (Akin, Illinois) - Email Me
Having had my (JW) mother die from refusing a life-saving blood transfusion, I'm almost willing to put money on the fact that this girl might react differently if the threat of "disfellowship" (shunning) wasn't hanging over her head.
Hopefully the JW leadership will finally cave in and change their stance on blood transfusions. Their whole objection on it is based off of Kosher dietary laws forbidding the consumption of blood. How the @#$% does that relate to a medical procedure?
Tacitala (link goes to info on the JW policies on blood transfusions and can be followed off to other "interesting" beliefs of theirs)
Find More info -- HERE
|
| Canadian Medical Ethics | Apr 12th. at 1:38:42 pm EDT
|
Gary Penzler (Burlington, Ontario) - Email Me
I was under the impression that in Canada, medical ethics specifically state that, unless it violates some higher rule, the patient's wishes are to be followed.
Now, one could perhaps argue that in this case, "do no harm" from the Hyppocratic Oath would be violated if the transfusions were not administered, but if that reading can be put on the Oath, then no treatment the doctor honestly believed to be appropriate for the patient's health could *ever* be refused, so I don't believe that is correct, either.
|
| I Might Be Wrong But.... | Apr 12th. at 1:38:30 pm EDT
|
Jemma Hawtrey (Colchester, England) - Email Me
I seem to recall that the bible counts suicide as a sin?
effectively, what this girl is doing is likely going to result in her dying of complications relating to a curable cancer which will still respond to medical intervention.
that, effectively, is no more or less than this girl committing suicide.
I dont know enough of the JW's specific beliefs but I am assuming the prohibition on suicide is still extant.
and her quotes in the article were somewhat suspicious to say the very least. The wording and structure, even allowing for 'editing' by the paper, are more adult than I would expect.. maybe shes repeating what shes been told to repeat by those nice gentlemen with the grey hair and black coats who came to visit...
While I would not agree with her decision, I would respect it if she was over legal age. She is not and therefore by law a minor. In that situation its right to force a decision to save a life when the only gainsay is a reactionist and overstretched religious law.
If because of this she survives and realises in future life just what religious archaism might have cost her then I hope she does well in life.
|
| Whose Right? | Apr 12th. at 12:31:31 pm EDT
|
Ahr-Ohn (Bridgeport, Connecticut) - Email Me
"Ultimately, her religious beliefs don't override her right to life and health, " Boyd said.
Had she any right to life and Health, she'd have refused the Chemo. This decision is in favor of the Province's right to her life and health.
There was an earlier decision that she had the maturity of an adult, for these decisions, so this decision in on the maturity of adults.
Are those non-compis-oncologists still using Chemo? Let me know when they can influence Cancer Mortality for the better.
Arawn
|
Disclaimer: The Witches' Voice inc does not verify the accuracy of the details stated in this listing, nor do we vouch for the value of the goods or services presented here... As with all contacts and financial dealings in cyberspace, we encourage you to use caution and wisdom in your dealings with strangers.
Political Statements: Any and all personal political opinions expressed in the public listing sections (including, but not restricted to, personals, events, groups, shops, Wren's Nest, etc.) are solely those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinion of The Witches' Voice, Inc. TWV is a non-profit, non-partisan educational organization.
|
State/Country flags created by 3dflags.com and are used with permission
Web Site Content (including: text - graphics - html - look & feel)
Copyright 1997-2009 The Witches' Voice Inc. All rights reserved
Note: Authors & Artists retain the copyright for their work(s) on this website.
Unauthorized reproduction without prior permission is a violation of copyright laws.
Website structure, evolution and php coding by Fritz Jung on a Macintosh G5.
Any and all personal political opinions expressed in the public listing sections (including, but not restricted to, personals, events, groups, shops, Wren’s Nest, etc.) are solely those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinion of The Witches’ Voice, Inc. TWV is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization.
Sponsorship: Visit the Witches' Voice Sponsor Page for info on how you
can help support this Community Resource. Donations ARE Tax Deductible.
The Witches' Voice carries a 501(c)(3) certificate and a Federal Tax ID.
Mail Us: The Witches' Voice Inc., P.O. Box 341018, Tampa, Florida 33694-1018 U.S.A.
| |
