What's your opinion of this?

Question

http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/570018/teen_fights_against_chemo_for_hodgkins/index.html?source=r_health

Answer 1

It brings up some interesting facts about our society doesn't it.Are our lives our own?Social services has been given authority to kidnap children at will with no defense allowed until after the children are removed.This can be done with no evidence and for any reason they consider detrimental to the child.In some states they wanted the authority to remove children because they were spanked.
True there are times when it is in the best interest of the child.Often it is found to be unsubstantiated,the children are returned but the damage is already done,to every ones lives and reputations.
If they or the medical community can not give a 100% guarantee of recovery who are they to interfere.I believe the people of this country have allowed major power over their lives to be passed to a government agency that is to cumbersome to make right and timely decisions or even want to.

Answer 2

I think this is a very sad situation. I know that chemo is debilitating. You are left very weak. However home remedies for a disease like this is not the right way to go.What he has is deadly. I lost my goddaughter to this disease when she was 26 and she left 2 small girls behind. A good friend of mine lost her son he was 31 and left a wife and a small baby. You need to fight this disease with every means possible as the survival rate has gotten much better. Does this 16 yr old understand that he needs to fight? Do his parents understand this?? Was the treatment explained to the so that they all new how he would feel. I think that this is a tragedy, but the parents and the 16 yr old should be free to decide what they wish to do. If the parents understand that he may die very soon if these homeopathic remedies do not work, The state should not play God. If the child was 3 maybe but this young man is 16

Answer 3

It's a tough situation. One the one hand, the child is still a minor and his parents seem neglectful refusing this lifesaving treatment. On the other hand, the boy is 16, been through the chemo before, it fail (cancer returned), and he didn't like what the treatment did to him. In this case, I don’t think that the courts should force him to get this treatment because of his age and maturity level. For people trying to live a more natural way of life, chemo is poison that does more harm to the body. If they have found some natural treatment that may or may not work but will at least giving the teen an opportunity to live out his days without the sickness that chemo brings, he should have the right to do that at his age.

Here are more links that provide more information on this situation:

http://www.wvec.com/news/local/stories/wvec_local_071006_cherrix.43b64858.html
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2006-07-11-herbal-remedy_x.htm?csp=34

Answer 4

That's a pretty messed up situation. Although I do believe in some cases, people should step in if the treatment is life-saving, chemotherapy isn't necessarily life-saving. A lot of people who go through chemotherapy still die. And you have to consider the side effects. From what I've seen from observing people in my own life go through, chemotherapy is rough. It makes you feel much sicker than the actual disease. I have heard many with cancer say if they had to do it all over again, they would not take the treatment. Deciding whether or not to go through with it should certainly be a personal choice.

Answer 5

See my profile picture? During my presidency as the first non-elected female president, I made sure to put the mechanism in place that would start stripping away your rights as a parent. Didn't you know, I Hilladyke Clinton know what is best for your and your family. When I socialize medicine, you won't have to worry about these kinds of treatments: YOU WILL HAVE TO WAIT SO LONG THAT YOU WILL DIE BEFORE YOU CAN GET THEM, SO THE QUESTION WILL BE MOOT.

Answer 6

I think the parents should have the right to say no to that procedure!
I blame hillary f*ckin clinton and her it takes a village socialist bullsh*t for these types and the audacity of them and their kind.
What right do they have to step in and take over?
If the treatment is killing the kid then apparently the f*ckin doctors and chemo people are pushing it to make money, not to cure the child.

Answer 7

First of all, the boy involved is 16....he is at an age where he can make decisions for himself. His parents were trying to help him and I am sure after seeing their son suffer, they wanted the best for him. I don't agree with him being taken away from his parents, that seems a bit rash.

Answer 8

This is not the government's decision - it is the private decision of the boy and his family.

This deep intrusion of the government into private family matters is socialist tyranny - the concept that the state will decide what is best for you and force your compliance.

Answer 9

I think he has the right to choose his own treatment with his parent's approval. Why is the state(Govt. ) getting involved and ordering chemo???? If someone want to go the natural healing route why can't they?.....ridiculous that the government is stepping and taking custody of him.

Answer 10

it's upto him what he wishes to do with his body. However, legally, the parents must be responsible for the actions.

Interesting article. Quite complicated actually...