Until recently, Tyrell Dueck was a normal eighth-grader in Canada, hoping that his favorite team would win the Stanley Cup for the third time. Then, early in the school year, he slipped climbing out of the shower and discovered a lump on his leg. He was then diagnosed with bone cancer.
After receiving two rounds of chemotherapy and being told that further therapy would mean the amputation of his leg, he announced that he wanted therapy stopped. He and his parents, devout fundamentalist Christians, decided to leave his health in God's hands and seek alternative therapy. The decision sparked a court battle between his parents, who supported Tyrell's decision, and the health care team, who sought to compel continued medical treatment and the planned amputation. The battle ultimately ended when doctors said that his cancer had spread to his lungs and that there was little more that could be done for Tyrell.
What are the compelling rights that this case addresses?
Whose rights should take precedence?
Does a child (specifically this competent 14-year-old) have the right to determine what will happen to him? Should he ethically have this right?
How would you have decided the outcome if his disease state had not intervened?
The compelling rights which address this case is the rights to make decision for their child.The rights of the medical professionals to inform about the type of treatment and suggestions to help patients find the best possible outcomes to improve the conditions or the quality of life.
The medical professionals rights should take precedence because the treatment of amputation ,suggested a positive outcome ,which can prevent spread of cancer to other parts of the body and later do not end up in a state where treatment is not possible.
The child of 14 years can understand the nature of disease similar to an adult but they cannot make firm decisions like a grown up adult.He has the right to determine what will happen to him.
Ethically it is always a controversy of informing something which can disturb the child emotionally and physically.Ethically not having the right can help him to lead a optimistic life ahead.
In case if disease state is not intervened the child could had a faster metastasis of the tumour to other parts of the body and encounter painful end of life.
Until recently, Tyrell Dueck was a normal eighth-grader in Canada, hoping that his favorite team would...
ntil recently, Tyrell Dueck was a normal eighth-grader in Canada, hoping that his favorite team would win the Stanley Cup for the third time. Then, early in the school year, he slipped climbing out of the shower and discovered a lump on his leg. He was then diagnosed with bone cancer. After receiving two rounds of chemotherapy and being told that further therapy would mean the amputation of his leg, he announced that he wanted therapy stopped. He and his...