Question 2:
Does the medical community have an obligation to save a life
at all costs necessary?
While reading the text we were provided with many scenarios
regarding life and death, passive and active euthanasia. One example really struck a chord with me. A baby is born with Down’s syndrome and is
otherwise healthy. The text explains
that some may be born with congenital defects such as intestinal obstructions
but with surgery will live. The text
further explains that doctors and parents can choose not to operate, and let
the infant die. I thought that medical professional’s
take an oath to save lives? So I’m
finding it difficult to process how doctors and parents have the option of
whether to operate on a potentially healthy infant or let the infant die. Letting the child die is a direct act in this
cause. When they decide to let the
infant die they are just sitting back while the infant is suffering with pain from
infection(s) and dehydration and is literally dying a preventable death. An infant is defenseless and helpless is
almost every situation. It becomes the responsibility
of this oath to save the infant’s life. If in the end if the parent decides they do not
want to take on the care of a child with Down’s well then adoption is always an
option.
Unfortunately, in America, running a hospital also means running a buisiness- and as any proficient buisiness owner knows,the customer is always right. Although I don't have any evidence supporting this, I am somehow doubtful that every doctor in every hospital in every state would be willing to allow such a moral catastrophe to occur. If a doctor did perform this non-action, could any medical board justly condemn them? I also imagine that in these cases, when not kept quiet, could, in some regions, create some type of community disgruntlement.
ReplyDeleteYou make a good point about a hospital at times running more like a business. It's quite scary and I really hope that the Down's cases and other examples like it are not happening. It for sure would cause community disgruntlement. So it kinda makes me wonder how often this is actually happening or how often poeple are not talking about it.
DeleteProbably a little of both (not happening/not talking about it). I'm sure state, and maybe even district laws differ. It'd be an interesting thing to look up or ask DKJ.
DeleteSorry I phrased part of that wrong, I meant to say, if the doctor chooses to operate anyway, thhen I can't see a medical board justly condemning them.
ReplyDelete